The Island

Building an artificial island to protect Gibraltars marina

Our client
Queensway Quay Marina is located inside the Port of Gibraltar. Penetrated waves through the unstrategically located entrance caused undesired wave agitation inside the marina. Marina Properties Ltd and Van Oord signed a contract for the construction of an artificial island, simply called The Island. The Island would serve as a protective breakwater for the marina and as a platform for the development of 19 luxury houses.

Our work
The existing camber needed to be demolished and when the foundations were prepared, caissons were placed to form the perimeter of the island. The caissons were subsequently filled with sand and the platform was created. Upon completion of the reclamation, the sandfill of the island was compacted by means of vibrofloatation.

Backhoe dredgers Piet Ponton and Razende Bol were used to demolish the existing camber and prepare the caisson foundation beds. Side stone dumping vessel HAM 601 transported rock from Spain for direct placement into the works. Trailing suction hopper dredgers Dravo Costa Blanca and HAM 311 supplied sand for caisson filling and platform formation.

Our results
The artifical island has been created and 19 luxury houses have been built. This results in a much better and attractive marina.