JFMS Keeps Hinkley Point C UXO-Free

James Fisher Marine Services (JFMS) has completed a five-month specialist unexploded ordnance (UXO) survey campaign at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station project.

The company provided a turnkey solution to survey, identify and dispose of any UXO identified at Hinkley Point C in order to ensure the site was free from UXO risks prior to the construction of the seawater cooling system by Costain.

Matthew Friedlander Moseley, senior engineer and package manager at Costain said of the campaign: “I’ve been impressed by the high level of professionalism of all involved. There has been a huge amount of interest in the UXO works as it’s the first offshore element of the marine works that’s been operational.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for working hard in challenging conditions.”

JFMS provided a team of professionals to deliver the campaign with the aid of technology and equipment. Four explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers identified five World War II (WWII) general purpose bombs. Specialist tooling was used to beam images to the surface team, which was able to positively identify the UXO. JFMS then worked with the Royal Navy to ensure the disposal of all five identified UXO.

Ian Hughes, managing director at JFMS subsea division concluded: “The works have highlighted that JFMS has the capability and expertise to deliver large-scale UXO campaigns to allow our clients to perform permanent work on the seabed in the knowledge that all potential UXO targets have been investigated and disposed of, in accordance with stringent regulation and statutory requirements.”

The JFMS subsea team was also recently voted ‘best construction and erection supplier 2017’ by EDF Energy at its HPC excellence awards, in further recognition of its professionalism in helping to ensure the subsea environment was UXO free and safe to operate in, as the new nuclear construction project moves into its next phase.

Hughes concluded: “I would like to congratulate the team on such a professional approach and their excellent workmanship and safety that’s applied to all operations. I’m very proud they’ve received this recognition on such a prestigious project.”

To remind, in 2015, JFMS successfully delivered a similar UXO campaign at Hinkley Point C whereby 34 potential UXO targets were located and inspected.