LYTTELTON Port Company has reopened its drydock, with some improved safety features for dock users and ships’ crews.
The drydock has been closed to regular ship repairs since 13 June while LPC installed new systems to prevent falls from height, such as safety lines and compliant stairs.
The drydock is listed as a heritage site – it opened in 1883 and is one of two permanent drydocks in New Zealand. The upgrade aimed to ensure the structure’s historic character experienced minimal interference.
The project involved earthquake-damage repair work to reinforce broken edging.
The upgrade intended to minimise the impact on the historic asset by using ground anchors to support safety systems.
Senior project manager Hannah Fyffe said the project was complex, and the project team worked through various technical and heritage considerations to deliver a successful outcome.
“It’s taken quite a few years to get to this point,” Ms Fyffe said.
“I’m full of admiration for the lads who, for days on end, braved scrawling southerlies and exposure to the elements.”
Ms Fyffe also lauded the care everyone took while working on the site.
“Their respect for heritage fabric and Victorian engineering was always evident, constantly tweaking and improving ways to protect the original concrete from damage during the installation process while making sure all the ground anchors were in precisely the right locations,” she said.
