Concrete block mat over the Eemszinker pipeline

It doesn’t happen often that we make use of divers working for one of our partners for a project. However, that’s exactly what happened a few weeks ago. Eemszinker, an important pipeline that crosses the Eems river, was at risk of becoming exposed. Sand covering a section of the pipeline was being washed away as the result of the scouring effect of the river current along the edge of a sandbank. The danger posed by exposure is that the pipeline could start to vibrate, which could eventually result in a hazardous situation. After thorough preparation by the parties involved in the collaboration, in just one week a specially designed concrete block mat was laid over the section of pipeline. This measure was the least disruptive for marine life and allowed the pipeline to remain where it is. Project manager Robert Hoekstra and Senior Hydrographic Surveyor Gerben Houmes tell more about this technical tour de force in a new project video in the ‘Working on energy’ series (in Dutch).