Transport and installation of Broome’s new Marine Support Base
When tides swing eight metres and deadlines loom, precision and planning become mission-critical. BigLift Shipping transported and installed key components for the Kimberley Marine Support Base in Broome – overcoming tidal extremes and tight timelines with engineering excellence.
Constructing a new floating wharf for the Kimberley Marine Support Base (KMSB) was no ordinary project. Commissioned by TAMS, the site in Broome faces tidal fluctuations of up to eight metres and strong currents, leaving only narrow windows during neap tides for safe operations. With shallow waters and a requirement to maintain at least half a metre under keel clearance while m/v Happy Star was in mooring spread, every move demanded absolute precision. The design of the new quay included a floating pontoon held in position by two restraint jackets, later extended with additional pontoon sections and fixed dolphins to accommodate larger vessels.
Last May, BigLift’s Happy Star sailed from Taicang, China, carrying extraordinary cargoes for the KMSB. Two restraint jackets, each measuring approximately 28.5 by 22.2 by 23.1 metres and weighing 790 tonnes, formed the backbone of the new pontoon structure. The linkspan bridge, an impressive 81.7 metres long, 14.4 metres wide and 9.3 metres high, weighed 890 tonnes. The southern fixed dolphin measured 12 by 12 by 9.4 metres and weighed 160 tonnes. In addition, the vessel transported loose materials such as piles, walkways and temporary works essential for the installation.
Upon arrival in Broome, the Happy Star installed the two jackets and the southern fixed dolphin directly onto piles while the vessel remained in mooring spread – a manoeuvre requiring exceptional accuracy in both engineering and operational planning. The linkspan bridge was discharged to a barge, whereas floating dolphins were mounted on the new pontoon forming the quay. Loose materials were placed on the existing quay to support further construction. Despite the constraints of tidal windows and tight engineering timelines, BigLift delivered flawlessly. The new Kimberley Marine Support Base now features a floating pontoon secured by restraint jackets, extended mooring capacity for larger vessels, and improved operational flexibility for the region. This achievement, realised in close cooperation with TAMS, underscores BigLift’s ability to combine heavy-lift and installation capabilities with precision marine engineering - even under the most demanding conditions.