Subtech Fabrication Workshop Division, where all the Innovation and Magic happen

The Fabrication workshop is the part of Subtech where all our innovation, fixing, maintenance and muscle happen. This team often work long hours and over the weekend to ensure that deadlines are met and that the various projects get all the equipment they need to finish the job. Cyril and his team are extremely focussed and have a great team attitude in their department. 

New Year with a Salvage

In the early hours of the morning, on the 1st of January 2012, the dredger barge "Jin Tai" owed by "CHEC" a Chinese company operating in the Port of Ngqura, Coega, Port Elizabeth began to take on water and later sank on her portside. Subtech got a telephone call to mobilise a dive team and chamber for a salvage operation in conjunction with Smit Salvage.

NSRI Slipway refurbishment in Simons Town (December 2011)

Subtech was approached by the NSRI to refurbish their slipway at their Simons Town Base in Cape Town. After an initial inspection dive by the Cape Town team and the input from the station commander, Darren Zimmermann, a plan was put together by our in house engineering specialist Steph Hock, but let's start at the beginning.
 

Installation of the new effluent line for Mhlathuze Water

A picture update of another successful project completed by Subtech.

Multibeam Bathymetric Survey completed at Cahora Bassa Dam Wall (Oct 2011)

Subtech was contracted by HCB to perform a detailed Multibeam Bathymetric Survey at Cahora Bassa, Songo, Mozambique. The chosen method for the survey was a Multibeam Survey, so as to get as much detail on the sides of the North/South bank of the Stilling Pool and Toe of the dam wall. A Single-beam survey could not have achieved this. The field work was conducted over a period of 3 days. The results of the fieldwork were analysed and several maps showing incredible detail were produced, which the client was delighted with.

East London West Quay Dredge (Sep 2010)

Subtech began work on the dredging of the West Quay in the Port of East London on 1st August 2010 in conjunction with T &T. The overall work scope was to break and remove approximately 2000m3 of bed rock from west quay in East London such that the final depth is -11m CD

Vresap picture update (2011)

Take a journey on whats been happening at Subtech's Vresap project and see one of the hopper barges being placed into the water, the long reach excavator going onboard the Subtech Sea Island, the hopper barge loaded with dredged material and so much more.

Civil Engineering News Moma Sands Jetty Mozambique Article - July Issue 2011

The upgrading, by Group 5 and Subtech Group, of the export jetty at the Moma Mineral Sands Mine is an unusually challenging marine construction project currently under way in northern Mozambique. Due to its remote location on an open coastline and with restricted access, the work requires careful planning in its design and during construction, with particular attention to construction methodology and temporary works.

The Alcatel EASSy Cable Project "Custom Builds" (Nov / Dec 2009)

The Alcatel EASSy cable project was time consuming as Subtech had to undertake "Custom builds" to make work easier with the final cable lay. The barge "Inkonkoni" had been brought alongside the quay in Durban in order for it to be custom fitted out for the 40km Fibre Optic Cable Lay in Maputo.

DHEW Tunnel removal in Port of Durban

A picture update on another successful project completed by Subtech

DHEW Tunnel removal (Nov 2009)

The original Durban Harbour sub-aqueous tunnel, which was constructed in 1958, accommodated municipal services (mainly sewer pipes) between the Point and Bluff and was located beneath the harbour entrance channel. The entrance channel deepening and widening project necessitated the removal of the tunnel along with 2 approach jetties and terminal structures.

Mhlathuze Water Project (2009)

Many Subtech employees spent a large deal of 2009 in Richards Bay--either working on the Berth 208 project or working feverishly on the Mhlathuze Water Project. This project saw Subtech being responsible for the installation of the new Mhlathuze Water C-Line Outfall as well as the refurbishment of the existing B-Line Marine Outfall pipeline.

The lifting of the Proteus (May 2009)

The construction barge "Aegir "with the Lima crane onboard was employed to lift the vessel Proteus out of the water and onto a cradle on Robben Island. The Proteus was utilized as the ferry for personnel who worked on the island when the island still housed a prison for political prisoners. The intention was to turn the vessel into a museum to form part of the tour on the island.

Richards Bay Beam placement (Mar 2009)

Beam Placing in 6 easy steps On Monday 23rd March 2009 the first beam was successfully placed off the barge, Inyathi at the Berth 208 project in Richards Bay where Subtech worked for Stefanutti Stocks.

Subtech Newbuilds (Mar 2009)

The two barges were built by Subtech with support from SA Shipyards on their premises, a feat that further emphasizes Subtech's versatility and the capacity of their in house fabrication department. The barges "Inkonkoni" and "Inyathi" have both gone straight onto separate construction projects in Richards Bay.

Subtech in Maputo (Mar 2009)

Subtech were contracted by a Greek company, Maritech, to supply logistical and marine plant support for the laying of a submarine fibre optic cable. Named after the company responsible for the overall contract, the cable is referred to as the Seacom cable. It is intended to increase competition in the internet/data market and is a direct result of the 2010 soccer world cup planned for South Africa.

Berth 208 Richards Bay

A presentation on another successful project completed by Subtech.

Berth 208 (Mar 2009)

Contracted to Stefanutti Stocks, the Richards Bay Berth 208 Liquid Chemical Berth Construction scope of work includes the supply and management of marine resources, general lifting operations using the Subtech 300 ton Lima Crane, lifting of the 65 ton precast beams using the same Subtech crane and the placement of the beams by the specialized lifting barge, the Inyathi.

Civil Engineering Article - New dense wastewater marine outfall system for Richards Bay (July 2008)

The existing dense wastewater marine outfall pipe system operated by Mhlathuze Water in Richards Bay is at present being upgraded in order to handle the required discharge within the requirements and licence set by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

The 'MFV Laverne' goes back to sea (December 2011)

On Tuesday 5th October 2010 the off shore stern trawler 'Laverne' CTA-793D sunk while alongside at the V & A Waterfront. The owners Viking Fishing Group had just spent 14 million Rand on refitting her before she sunk.

Maritime Magazine article - The 'Phoenix' Saga (Sep/Oct 2011)

When the MT Phoenix encountered engine problems off the coast, SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) issued an instruction to mobilize the tug Smit Amandla in terms of Smit Amandla Marine's contract to provide emergency response services on the South African coast to the department of Transport. Through SAMSA, Smit also subcontracted Durban-based company, Subtech, to supply personnel and resources to the site immediately.

The 'Phoenix' Salvage (July 2011)

On Tuesday 26 July, The Phoenix, a derelict bulk tanker ran aground at Sheffield on Durban's North Coast. The Phoenix was en route to an Indian scrap yard and was carrying a small skeleton crew, when she experienced engine trouble off Port Elizabeth. She was towed to Durban by the Smit Amandla tug, and put to anchor to sit out a big cold front of 4 meter swells and a 25-30 knot wind.

Subtech Tug 'Reier' in search operation (May 2010)

Another vessel to respond was the Subtech tug "Reier" which was on a return voyage from Richards Bay, when at 02h30 she overheard the Morning Composer reporting to Durban port control that they had a Man Overboard situation. Captain Pieterse, the master of "Reier" immediately altered course towards the vessel and informed Port Control that as they were the nearest vessel able to respond he would begin the surface search while assisting with the co-ordination of the search.

Subtech and the 'Acechador'  Trawler Salvage (Nov 2009)

At 22h00 on the night of the 2nd November 09 the trawler "ACECHADOR" put out a distress call that their engine room was flooding and the 17 man crew were preparing to abandon ship. The following morning Subtech was asked to investigate salvaging the trawler.  At 11h30 on the 3rd November 09 the "ACECHADOR" was located 58km off the harbour entrance and the Subtech "Reier" was despatched with a Rapid Response Dive team to try to bring the trawler back to safe moorings.