National Maritime Wind Institute
New Bedford, Massachusetts.
BEST PROJECT
Sent by: DF Pray General Contractors
Owner: Bristol Community College
Main design company: Civil Architecture
General contractor: DF Pray General Contractors
Civil Engineer: Fuss & O’Neil Inc.
A former seafood packing plant is now a 43,000 square meter training facility developed to support the growing demand for technicians in the assembly and deployment of offshore wind turbines. High-tech simulators and virtual reality technology complement the physical facilities typical of turbine manufacturing environments near New Bedford for an experience that reflects real-world working conditions, the project team says.
Facilities include a survival training tank, repair shops, classrooms, office space, medical exam rooms, cafeteria and collaboration space.
The implementation of the building transformation first required major ground improvements to accommodate the unstable soils and higher load requirements of the renovated structure, which required the installation of more than 360 piles spirals at depths of more than 20 feet, all within the building’s footprint, according to the filing.
Photo courtesy of DF Pray General Contractors
Due to the proximity to the ocean and changing tides, creative programming and dewatering approaches were also required for the construction of drainage and sewer system connections, as well as a new elevator shaft.
Limited examples of such facilities in the New England region presented regulatory challenges. The team says organizing permits and inspections from multiple state and local agencies required extensive coordination. Several internal inspections by the board of health were required, as well as approvals for training elements such as the survival pool and submersibles.
The project’s construction requirements also presented unusual safety concerns. A third-party health and safety inspector conducted weekly on-site inspections to help identify and resolve potential project risks by collaborating with business partners before and during work activities.
The project team also developed and coordinated a plan for various cranes required during the installation of the survival pool.
According to team members, the project effort resulted in 50,000 hours worked without incident, with all work completed on time and on budget.
