TRANSPORT
SITEREPORT
E
lectrical power is critical to
remotepartsof the artic regions
ofCanada. SowhenScott-
WoodsTransportwas contracted tomove
seven steel tanks thatwouldbeused
for fuel storageonBaffin Island, itwas
understoodhow critical the timingof the
movewouldbe to theproject’s success.
The tanksmeasured34 feet indiameter,
were40 feet tall, andweighed80,000
pounds each.
“Thebiggest challengewas thepressure
wewereunder tomeet our client’s
deadlines and toperform flawlesslyas the
safe, pristinedeliveryof the tankswas a
matterof significant importance,” saidEric
Rolf vondenBaumen. “It is important
tonote that thesegenerators are theonly
sourceof energyavailable in thispart of
theworldand if therewere any issues
ordelays at all during themove, the safe
deliveryof the tankswouldbe jeopardized
andour clientwouldbe forced to shut
down their entireoperation for a full eight
months.”
While the schedulewas a challenge,
thedestinationwas another issue. Baffin
Island isoneof themost isolated locations
on theplanet and experiences someof
theharshest conditions in theworldwith
temperatures ranging from44degrees
F to -65degreesF, andaveraging -22
degreesF in thewinter. Thispart of the
world experiences 24-hourdarkness
fromNovember to Januaryand24-hour
59
taking threeplanes, the last beingaprivate
plane that landedonadirt runway.
Aftermeeting the ship they spent the
first day running the60-mile route empty.
On the secondday the first loadwas
transported. They left thebeachunder
sunnyand clear conditionsbut less than
halfway theweather tookadrastic turn
intoa snowyblizzard. Tire chainswere
installedand speedswere reduced to
a crawl. It took12hours tomake the
60-mile trek,withmuchof thedistance
walkedby the crew to ensure thedriver
had eyes at everypoint on the road. The
remaining loads continued inprettymuch
the samemanner. The tanks arrivedon
time, underbudget anddamage free.
■
JUNE 2014
ACT
Scott-Woods Transport
moved seven steel tanks
to a remote locationwhere
theweather and roads
were atrocious.
Remote haul
daylight betweenMayandAugust. The
loadswouldbe transported through
frozen tundraover roads fashionedout
of six inchesof crushed rock. Therewere
nohotels, restaurants, fuel stationsor
convenience stores.
The crew flew to the island for a
planning trip toascertain the challenges.
Theydiscoveredhilly terrainswith some
grades in excessof 18percent,many90
degree turns, tire-crushing roadways,
sustainedwinds gustsof up to50mph
andblinding snow. Plus theywere tasked
withassuring thepristine environmental
conditionswerenot disturbed.
By land and by sea
Equipment chosen for the job included
two tri-drive tractors, one80-ton
expandableperimeter 13-axledeck
transporter, a75-tonmodularnine-axle
transporter, twoheavydutypickup trucks
and sea containerspackedwithparts, tires,
tools, supplies and counterweights. The
timeframe for theprojectwasAug. 2, 2013
toOct. 8, 2013.
The first phasewasmoving the tanks
from themanufacturer to the ship,which
was across the street.Anonboard ship
crane loaded the tanks, the tractors,
trailers and supplies.
TheScott-Woods team includeda
projectmanager, twoheavyhaul drivers
and twomaintenance staffers. They
travelled2,050miles tomeet the ship,
Blizzard conditions, makeshift
roadways and 90-degree turns
were among the challenges.
