View non-flash version
A n innovative walking jack-up platform WaveWalk- er 1 was presented with the Product and Equip- ment Innovation Award at the Ground Engineer- ing (GE) Awards ceremony in London last month. WaveWalker 1, developed by Fugro and Van Oord, is an eight- legged ‘walking’ jack-up barge (self-elevating work platform - SEWP) designed especially for marine operations in rough seas, surf zones, beaches and other intertidal locations where operation of traditional SEWPs is uneconomic. As well as operating safely whilst elevated, its bi-directional movement allows it to move and relocate without fl oating. WaveWalker 1 can considerably boost productivity in tasks such as geotechnical site investigations, drilling, trenching, pipeline and cable-laying, blasting and other marine and un- derwater work. In January 2013 WaveWalker 1 began its fi rst project, where it undertook drilling and rock blasting works in the outer channel to the port of Suape in Brazil, and more than proved its worth. The GE Product and Equipment Innovation Award is for a product or item of equipment aimed at the ground engineering or geotechnical market which has delivered improved perfor- mance or made a technique or idea possible. The entries were required to provide evidence of how their product led to in- creased performance, durability, safety or productivity during a project or process. Research strategies that led to the devel- opment of the product and its sales success to date were also taken into account. Key criteria included: innovative design, ability of product/equipment to fi ll a gap in the market; abil- ity to deliver cost and performance benefi ts; and commercial potential for use on other projects/applications. WaveWalker 1 is currently on location in the U.K. preparing for her next contract due to start in July 2014. WaveWalker Wins Marine Technology Reporter 23 www.seadiscovery.com MTR #5 (18-33).indd 23 6/9/2014 10:18:42 AM
