Joss Bay, Thanet
Brief
The Joss Bay, Thanet, project involved delivering enabling works and support services for a Utilities company, focused on the installation of a fibre optic cable that extended from approximately 1.5 miles from offshore into a confined space chamber on land. The operation required close coordination between multiple teams to manage confined space entry, marine cable pulling and onshore welfare provisions, all within a tight coastal footprint.
Challenge
The primary challenge involved the intricate operation of bringing a subsea cable ashore, navigating it through a confined tunnel and precisely installing it within a 3 x 3 metre concrete chamber. This required precise control, strict safety protocols and robust logistical planning. Site access, limited space and environmental sensitivity added further constraints. Ensuring welfare, power, and waste infrastructure for all site personnel was also critical to maintaining efficiency and compliance.
Solution
To facilitate safe and efficient access during a recent project, FGS Utilities supplied and installed temporary access trackway using 80 heavy-duty H-Mats for site set up. These mats were laid in an L-shaped formation, providing a stable and secure base to support essential site infrastructure including welfare units, lighting towers, toilets and skips.
Engineered to withstand the demands of construction traffic, FGS Utilities H-Mat trackway boards are ideal for challenging ground conditions. Installed by our experienced team, this solution ensured smooth logistics and site operations from day one.
This provided a reliable temporary access solutions underpinned by FGS Utilities core values: safety, efficiency, quality, support and expertise.
FGS Plant was key to the operation, supplying excavators that served as fixed anchor points for the pulley system used in the subsea cable pull. These were carefully positioned to act as static deadweight’s, enabling the controlled movement of the fibre optic cable from offshore, through to the tunnel system, and into the onshore concrete chamber. FGS Plant also provided tower lights to ensure the site remained safely operational around the clock.
Four Jays Group delivered all welfare units and infrastructure for the project. This included a 24-foot static canteen split unit, a 24-foot mobile welfare unit, a 12-foot towable office, Heras fencing for perimeter security, and on-site toilets – ensuring the workforce was fully supported with high-quality facilities throughout the works.
FGS Industrial deployed a confined space team of three specially trained operatives to assist with the internal pull of the cable through the tunnel into the chamber. Their expertise and strict adherence to safety protocols ensured the site remained ready for confined space operations at all times.
Countrystyle Recycling completed the service with responsive waste management.
Outcome
Through close collaboration across the Heathcote Holdings group, the Joss Bay project was delivered with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The multi-disciplinary support ensured operational readiness across all areas, from plant machinery services to confined space capability and welfare provision, contributing to a smooth and well-coordinated cable installation.
