28 November 2011
In order to deliver a first class service to its customers, Shoreham Port run a comprehensive planned maintenance programme on all of its infrastructure and equipment.
From our cranes, warehouses, quay walls, to the lock gates, each item is regularly inspected and tested to ensure that they will continue to operate safely and efficiently under all conditions.
One of the most important items for the port are the Prince Phillip lock gates, which allow large commercial ships to enter the port.
These gates are inspected on a regular basis, both by diving and entering the actual gate. Part of the planned maintenance programme, entails removing the complete gate and rotating them with the spare set of gates on the port.
During the removal of the West gates this weekend, a structural defect was found in the gates which needs rectifying, thus they have both been removed, and our engineering team and contractor Dean and Dyball, are working around the clock to fix them.
Rodney Lunn, Chief Executive of Shoreham Port ,commented “ Whilst we are disappointed that the planned closure for 48 hours of the Prince Phillip lock has had to be extended, we are very pleased that the planned maintenance programme picked up these defects, and that there was no malfunction or failure during normal operations. We hope to have this problem resolved as soon as possible and thank our customers for their understanding”.
During this time ships are being discharged at the tidal berth on the outer layby and leisure craft are continuing to use the Prince George lock.
All enquiries for shipping should be directed to the Harbour Master – Julian Seaman.
