It was cause for celebration when the first vessel – the Magpie SW – recently berthed at the refurbished Ravensbourne Wharf in Port Otago.

Completed on time, the upgrade involved building a new 145-metre-long berthing beam and carrying out significant maintenance work on the existing timber path of the Wharf.

Around 7,000 truck movements will be removed from the road each year, as a result of the upgrade, which will be good news for the environment and surrounding community.

Originally built in the 1930s, the Wharf has undergone various cosmetic changes over the years including an extension in 1968 and a new concrete deck and berthing beam in 1994. This latest refurbishment now extends the life of the Wharf for at least another 10 years.

The $6 million project was a collaboration involving Ravensdown, Port Otago, HEB Construction and consulting engineers BECA.

Port Otago Civil Engineer Andy Pullar was full of praise for the Ravensdown team saying that they had the right approach and provided some great support to the site team.

“All in all, it was a very smooth and satisfying project.”

Key Facts

• The new 145-metre-long berthing beam along the Ravensbourne Wharf length connects to new anchor piles on the rear of the wharf.
• Loads imposed by berthing vessels will now bypass the existing timber wharf structure transferring them to 900mm diameter anchor piles.
• A total of 27 new piles were driven with 12 steel struts securing the new piles to the anchor piles.
• Significant maintenance work was also carried out on the existing timber part of the wharf to prolong the life of the 90-year-old timber structure.
• The wharf has over 300 hardwood timber piles holding it up.