Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

I wish that I could write an update talking about the excellent progress made on-site but alas, I can’t.  My programme of works is hindered by backfilling, which in turn is hampered by tie bar installation, which in turn is delayed due to dewatering which is ultimately down to poor decision-making by the superintendent, who knows nothing about cofferdams, groundwater flow or reading a works programme!  The solution, throw money at the project!

In the last few weeks things have been building up nicely towards a catastrophic failure and then boom…it happens…the dewatering failed.  The sheet pile wall failed to keep out the pacific ocean and the pumps failed to keep up.  Net result, the pump area flooded, the pumps were hoisted out and the sump flooded.  Overnight, due to a lack of any active dewatering the cofferdam created by the king pile wall held in the flood water but only just as the wall moved over a 12 pile stretch to the tune of 1.8m towards the sea.  It turns out that the design could keep out the pacific but in this instance not the water trapped within the coffer!  This is a significant issue and one of which I will focus TMR 3 towards having already had discussion with John and Richard via email.  The only disappointing facet is that this happened on Friday 31st and I’ve just gone on holiday.  I have put my mole to work on site to keep me posted with updates on progress..I suspect though that little physical construction will have occurred by the time I return.

Prior to this the civil crew has had some reasonable success.  Most notably, we installed our first 2 sections of capping beam (20% of total), 1 of the ten mooring bollards and completed 2nd of the 7 light pole footings.  Tensions with the client have reduced to more reasonable levels and this is mainly due to a JHG senior management decision to proceed with all works providing we have designer (Arup) approval.  This means that all the waiting for Bechtel for inspections, coded drawings to be approved, etc is no longer an obstacle which means work started to proceed with fewer road blocks.  The only obstacle now preventing the civil crew is the earthworks and crane crews completing all tie rod installation and backfilling up to formation level to construct the capping beam and MOF furniture.  Only problem with this is the minor issue of dewatering!!!

On return from my holidays I have finally been loaded to the safety and leadership course down in Brisbane (6 months late) and a course on how to use Lotus notes.  If you look back at some of Steve’s initial blogs you’ll note that he did these in March! Oh to be on an organised site…

During this blog period we had a visit from “Uncle Rob” Porter who is Austyn’s godfather figure and managed a short break to the amazing Fraser Island for a bit of off-road driving and whale watching.  We were not disappointed and got “mugged” by the whales as they circled the boat for 1.5 hours, performing their tricks, breaching and the like.  A great little break and I thoroughly recommend it to my colleagues if they make a visit here during the whale watching season.

Other news sees us heading North from tomorrow on a road trip to Cairns stopping at various hot spots along the way as our annual August (ish) holiday.  this will be the last trip for a while as my savings pot runs dry so it will be a good one!  The process has started to find a house and schooling in Brissy and we’re travelling there in mid to late October to undertake some viewings and secure one. It may mean that we end up moving before December and I will do the classic Australian FiFo for 3-4 weeks if needs be.  This isn’t all bad as it would mean that I can get some thesis nailed in my spare time with minimal child interference! Wait out to see what happens.

Finally, don’t listen to Matt’s country and western top 5.  By the end of a track you want to to punish yourself for being so foolish as to listen in the first place.

Until at least the 17th September, that’s all folks!