Fellows trains dredgers for nuclear development

Fellows has recently provided Marine Unexploded Ordnance (MUXO) awareness training to a dredging team involved in the development of the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset.

Delivered on board the dredging vessel being used for the multi-billion pound construction project, the training was conducted by Fellows’ Operations Manager Jason Webb MIExpE. Jason, a former Royal Navy Clearance Diver and Advanced Underwater Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operator, used his 27 years’ experience within the marine environment to give the trainees an expert briefing.

Ranging from potential threats to planned responses for any UXO that may be discovered, the comprehensive briefing covered numerous aspects relevant to the project, including:

• Site-specific historical information and likelihood of UXO risks
• Air-dropped munitions
• Variety of Naval munitions
• Dumped surplus munitions
• Managing the risk from UXO
• Emergency response planning

The dredging will remove mud from the seabed of the Bristol Channel ahead of drilling six vertical shafts for the cooling water system for the new nuclear power station - the first to be built in the UK in over 20 years.  When complete, it will provide low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes.