Specialist Dive Team Completes Challenging Pile Removal
A redundant concrete-filled steel tubular pile has been successfully cut down to seabed level at the Port of Milford Haven, with Edwards Diving Services leading a carefully coordinated operation in one of the UK’s busiest waterways.
Appointed by Southbay Civil Engineering on behalf of the Milford Haven Port Authority, our dive team worked with specialist sub-contractor Mactech Offshore to remove the large-diameter pile using advanced diamond wire cutting equipment. Williams Shipping provided the primary working vessel, while TMS supplied the secondary vessel used during the operation.
Located close to the ferry terminal, the project required careful planning and close collaboration between all parties to ensure work could be carried out safely around regular vessel movements. With the pile weighing approximately 10 tonnes per metre, it presented a significant engineering challenge, but the cuts above and below the waterline were completed smoothly.
James Bramwell, Diving Technical Manager at EDS, said: “Removing a pile of this size takes strong teamwork. Working alongside Southbay Civil Engineering, Milford Haven Port Authority, Mactech Offshore, Williams Shipping and TMS demonstrates the value of effective collaboration – it’s a great example of how we consistently deliver successful outcomes when multiple stakeholders are involved.”
Steve Hall, Diving Supervisor at Edwards Diving Services, added: “Our divers worked closely with the Mactech Offshore team throughout the operation, providing underwater support where needed to help ensure everything ran as planned. Despite the size of the pile and the challenging location, the cutting has gone very smoothly and we’re looking forward to undertaking the next phase of the works.”
The next stage of the project will involve filling the remaining void before the area is returned to service. Once complete, the Milford Haven Port Authority will have a clear seabed in this location, with Edwards Diving Services ready to support any future marine infrastructure requirements.
A big thank you to everyone involved for their professionalism and collaboration throughout the project.
Take a look at the video below to see the diamond wire pile cutting operation in action.
