past projects

Started in 1998, the $2.5 million harbours upgrade at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw involved the deepening of the existing rock floors of the harbours in an exposed and sensitive coastal environment. The Penneshaw breakwater was also constructed with minimal disruption to the ferry services, the local community, and the penguin population. The contract to undertake the project involving the difficult underwater rock excavation required the use of equipment mounted on barges, and the constant repositioning of cables and anchors. Between May and September, 47,000 tonnes of rock were excavated! The significant project provided both the opportunities for the application of skills and experience, as well as the exposure to new challenges at the coastal environment. Jobs were created both at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw. John Chappell (specialist coastal engineering firm) and the Ports Corp of South Australia, together with Sealink, collaborated to adopt the successful methods employed. For excavation to happen without interruption to the ferry services, stability calculations were undertaken and the Samsung excavator used had to be modified to enable it to operate above tidal levels. This allowed the turret excavator to position itself on the harbour floor and use its breakout power to excavate the rock floors.

The contractor also created a floating conveyor to transport the rock material directly from the excavator to the adjacent shore where it was then offloaded at stockpile areas. It was something that could not be achieved by conventional means then.

With over 47,000 tonnes of rock excavated and more supplied by the quarry behind Penneshaw, the adjacent 100,000 tonne breakwater for Penneshaw harbour was built using these resources. The deepening of the harbours, construction of the breakwater and associated works were achieved in a sensitive ecological, social and political environment with community involvement. All these led to new businesses and jobs, and provided a valuable tourist and commercial link to Kangaroo Island. Designed and created by South Australians to world standards, it was a job well done!

To overcome the extra height to cater for the winter tides, the sub frame was split – the result was that 1 metre height and additional stability.

Upgrade work in progress.

It was nicknamed Godzilla. RECENT WORKS

In October 2020, the Cape Jervis Jetty was to facilitate repair works on the Kangaroo Island berthing facilities. These included the removal of disused fenders, propping and levelling the deck and the bracing of several piles to maintain their integrity, with the work done on the jetty during this closure. The jetty was reopened in April 2021. Apart from the jetty that is teaming with marine life, the adjacent breakwater yields salmon, whiting, tommies, school sharks and the occasional yellowtail kingfish.