Breakwater Update

Busy time of year! Thank you to Bruce for finding some interesting photo's of the project (see the previous post for these photo's).


Here is the latest from Hugh Scarth:

• Anchor Blocks are being installed. 5 of the 7 have been completed
• Sheet Pile is going to begin soon
• They do not work in temperatures below -20C due to risk of damage to equipment
• There will be installed a 12" vertical pipe for the mast stepper prior to back filling around the Sheet Pile
• The mast stepper will need to be re engineered to work with the new base and it is expected that a stay system will be used to support it. The good news is due to the location of the stepper, the guy wires should not be in the way.

I noticed some activity down at the site today. It was quite a shock to see a crane on the wharf - Last time I saw that there were boats too - but not today. I think they are getting prepared to begin the installation of the Sheet Pile (but I will confirm that).

Crane on site - Feb 15

Progress as of Feb 12. The end 1/3 of the breakwater is at
the final height and will extend, at this height, to the where
the pavement ends at the road.

Bruces Photo's

Photo Update - From Bruce Tennant

Not much news to report but thanks to Bruce for braving the cold to bring us some up-to-date pictures.

We have an RYC Board meeting scheduled for Sunday evening and there will be an update on the project provided at that time. I will pass on what I learn, via the Blog, early next week.

So the Shubenacadie Sam didn't see his shadow. I know sailors aren't superstitious so we don't need to worry about that anyway. Environment Canada did announce last week that the temperature was going to be colder in February, and "average" for the period February to April, so I guess that means March and/or April will be warmer than usual. Now, I took a look at Environment Canada's web site and they indicate they are right with their 3 month forecast between 45% and 50% of the time. I have also heard that the Groundhog is right around 40% to 50% of the time. Hmmm?!?


Looking at Kennebecasis & Mather Islands and the
Kingston Peninsula off across the ice.
Nice photo Bruce! The clouds don't seem real.


You can see one of the forms for the concrete pad
to the right of the worker


Behind the machine; that should be the finished
height. Wow, pretty impressive!


That should cut down on the waves and the wind.


What is the old saying? "Measure twice, cut once!"

Concrete Pad Installation

There is some real work being done on the breakwater now. Have a look at some of the photo's provided by Bruce today. They are working on the concrete pads that will be used to eventually attach the floating docks to. Keep in mind that installing docks along the full length of the breakwater is another phase of the project. The plan this year is to install a few docks that will be temporarily used for loading and unloading. Of course, circumstances change so...stay tuned.

In the photo's below we see them working on the second of 7 pads. The light base has already been poured.


Ever so slightly, you can see the bales of hay at the
end of the breakwater. They are there to insulate the Pad
that has been installed as the foundation for the
breakwater navigation light


A form for the concrete pad. Note the rebar in the box.
It is there for future attachment points


Pouring concrete out here is a multi-step process


Once the concrete hardens, the excavator will place
armour stone around the blocks to further secure
them within the breakwater structure

Progress Comparison & J24's

As you can see from the picture below, we've had to expand the scope of the photo's to include the end of the breakwater.

Oops! Thought I had left enough room when I started

taking pictures

Continued work with the Armour Stone

(click for a more detailed picture)

On a totally different note... I was at Poley yesterday (what a beautiful winter day) and ran into some old friends from the Shediac Bay Yacht Club - Jamie Storey and Paul Poirier. Some of you who sail on the RYC Cruise may remember Jamie. His family have been long-time sailors in Shediac and he has been a guest of Phil Pugsley at various times on various cruises. Paul is an old neighbour of ours from Grand Digue and sails a beautiful Tartan 3500, including taking a run with his wife, three kids and their dog, to the Magdalen Islands last summer. Jamie and Paul proudly told me that Shediac will be hosting the J24 Canadian Nationals this summer (August 3rd thru the 5th.) That should be some exciting racing! (Link to the web site)

Does anyone know if there are any teams or crew from the Saint John area headed to Shediac for this event? If so, post a comment or send an e-mail and I'll put their names on the Blog (and any other pertinent information - boat name, photo, etc.)

Photo Update - From Bruce Tennant

A quick post of the lastest photo's from Bruce. As usual, you can click on the photo to make them larger.

The Bitter End - Armour Rock Begins

So we've reached the 'Bitter End'! Not, in the BVI's I'm afraid, but the end of the breakwater. This should be a time of celebration! Now the delicate work begins of placing each and every stone in place as they work their way back.

Thanks for the photo's. How thick is the ice, Bruce?

So, should it be Armor or Armour? Can anyone help with that?

And in case you missed it, there was a Breakwater Committee update on Jan 18. (Click to Link)


Better adjust your waypoints for those foggy trips back
from Scouts Beach. Grey Rocks, Grey Fog, Grey Goose
- a recipe for disaster!


They have brought in the heavy equipment. Nice angle
of the photos, Bruce. That's a long walk out there!


Wanted: Man with a delicate touch!


I understand they built the pyramid's by hand. Judging
by the water temperature, that would explain why there
are no pyramid's on the Kennebecasis.