Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
From Bremen to Petten
From an underground freeway route in Bremen to the reinforcement of a floodgate in the Afsluitdijk and the new construction of the research reactor in Petten: each of these are complex civil works, requiring specialist diving. Reason why Aquatech Diving is called in as a reliable partner.
Aquatech from Joure is active in inspection, renovation, maintenance and new construction of civil projects. This broad employability, combined with specialized knowledge, shows how versatile and specialized the Frisian company is. Because the work takes place both in inland waters and at sea, the company operates under two names: Aquatech Diving for inland waters and Aquatech Offshore for offshore waters and offshore projects. Within Aquatech Diving, led by Steven Spanhaak, the company works daily to realize and future-proof underwater structures. “Our projects are technically challenging and require precision,” he says. “That is precisely where our strength lies. We deliver custom work and always find a practical and safe solution even for complex structures.”
An appealing example of a complex project is the construction of the Weser Tunnel near Bremen. This strategic infrastructure work forms an important link in the ring road around the city and improves accessibility and traffic flow in northern Germany. The tunnel will be constructed under the Weser River and is part of a large-scale expansion of the regional road network. “The project is technically very challenging,” Spanhaak said. “About 27,000 m³ of underwater concrete is being poured and we are working with large depth differences. Our divers are operating at depths of 6 to 27 meters, for which we are using special gas mixtures.”
When asked whether such work can also be performed by Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Spanhaak replied, “ROVs are a valuable addition for us. In practice, however, professional divers often provide more accurate data, for example when measuring clearance of lock gates or quay walls. This is why we realistically look at the best use of people and technology for each project. Safety is always at the heart of this. We work exclusively with certified professional divers who have modern equipment and up-to-date knowledge. For example, the diving units are equipped with the latest techniques and suitable for working with NITROX. In addition, we have our own mobile work and inspection boats, fully equipped with diving systems and underwater cameras. Thus, we guarantee quality, safety and reliability on every project.”
