Big Bubble Curtain in Civil Marine Construction.

The construction of bridges, port expansions, and coastal infrastructure introduces severe acoustic challenges to near-shore environments. At Weyres Offshore, we adapt our proven Big Bubble Curtain (BBC) technology to safeguard marine life during complex civil engineering projects.

The Challenge: Intense Acoustic Emissions in Near-Shore Environments

• Coastal and inland marine construction often takes place in highly sensitive, biodiverse habitats—such as estuaries, river mouths, and shallow coastal waters. These areas frequently serve as critical breeding grounds and migration routes for marine mammals and fish.
  Typical construction activities generate hazardous underwater noise levels:

• Pile Driving: Installing sheet piles for quay walls or large tubular piles for bridge foundations creates immense acoustic shockwaves.

• Blasting & Drilling: Rock removal for port deepening or underwater tunnel construction causes sudden, extreme noise spikes.

• Vibratory Driving & Dredging: Continuous, low-frequency vibrations that disrupt the communication and navigation of marine wildlife.

​

Failing to mitigate these emissions not only threatens local ecosystems but can also lead to severe project delays due to strict environmental regulations.

The Solution: Tailored Big Bubble Curtains for Civil Engineering

Near-shore construction presents unique logistical challenges compared to open-ocean offshore wind projects. Strong tidal currents, shallow waters, heavy vessel traffic, and confined operational spaces require highly adaptable noise mitigation systems. Weyres Offshore provides customized Big Bubble Curtain layouts specifically engineered for civil infrastructure projects:

• Custom Configurations: We design flexible nozzle hoses that can be laid precisely around complex geometries, such as bridge pylons, dry docks, or linear quay walls.

• Shallow Water Optimization: Our specialized compressor systems are calibrated to generate the optimal air volume and bubble size needed to break acoustic waves efficiently in shallow, coastal environments.

• Current Resistance: We utilize heavily weighted hose systems designed to stay securely in place, even in estuaries with aggressive tidal shifts and strong river currents.