Shiplift Launch Basin | Fincantieri Marinette Marine | Marinette, WI

Project Data
​Owner: Fincantieri Marinette Marine
Engineer: Foth
Contract amount: $15,000,000
Category: Underwater Blasting, Dredging, Rock Removal
Year Completed: 2021

In 2021, Roen completed the construction of a basin for a Synchrolift at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard. Roen’s scope of work involved removal of the 500ft long existing dockwall, removal of glacial till to the top of rock, and removal of rock to a depth of -43 foot below low water datum. The 25 foot thick layer of rock was removed by blasting underwater. Roen’s excavator with an extended 83 foot front end was used to remove the 125,000 tons of shot rock generated by blasting. In delicate areas where only limited blasting could be performed, a hydraulic hammer attachment was used on the excavator to break rock to the necessary grade and contours.

​Roen was able to work with the owner, engineer, and blasting experts to develop a blasting plan that delivered this project on schedule, without incident, and with no cost incurring change orders.

In order to protect both the newly constructed vessels and marine life that were in close proximity to the blasting, Roen installed a bubble curtain around the entire perimeter of the project. The curtain was over 900 ft long and was comprised of 4 parallel lines of bubble tubing to reduce blasting overpressures by up to 75 percent. In addition to reducing overpressures, the bubble curtain controlled turbidity, allowing Roen to perform rock removal work during the spring fish spawning window.

The Western Dredging Association awarded this project 2022 nationwide Annual Safety Excellence Award for Roen’s outstanding safety performance throughout the project. 
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