Why Choose Bluegrass Bit for Marine Demolition?
Choosing Bluegrass Bit as your marine demolition contractor means the job is supported by more than 45 years of experience on port, wharf, bridge, and offshore projects. We stand behind our excellent safety record and our reputation for completing marine projects on schedule, two standards that matter as much in the marine industry as anywhere we work. Distinct advantages Bluegrass brings includes:
- Patented Underwater Diamond Wire Saws: Developed and patented by Bluegrass in 2006, our underwater saws use hydraulic motors in a four-wheel-drive continuous loop configuration, providing greater torque and consistent wire grip. The design reduces wire breaks and cut times compared to conventional underwater cutting systems. These saws are mounted on the structure and operated from the surface.
- ROV-Compatible and Diver-Assisted Deployment: Our underwater saws are designed and fabricated for efficient deployment by divers and/or ROVs, allowing us to cut at depths or in conditions where conventional access is not possible. Surface operation keeps personnel out of the water during cutting.
- Custom-Built Equipment for Each Job: We do not deploy off-the-shelf equipment. Every saw used on a marine project is designed and built in our machine shop to fit the structure, the environment, and the cutting requirements of that specific job. For the Port of Los Angeles berth removal, we fabricated a specialized 15-foot underwater diamond wire saw to remove a 14.5-foot-diameter concrete and metal sheet pile cell.
- Low Vibration — Adjacent Operations Continue: Our non-percussive cutting methods produce minimal vibration and noise. This allows nearby shipping, pier operations, and port activities to continue uninterrupted while damaged or obsolete infrastructure is repaired or removed.
- Environmental Compliance Built In: Our slurry containment systems capture and manage effluents produced during cutting, protecting the marine environment and keeping your project in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Specialized Marine Demolition Contractors for Complex Infrastructure
Our Core Marine Capabilities
Mooring Dolphin Removal
We cut and dismantle mooring dolphins of all dimensions, sizing sections for removal by crane. Our low-vibration cutting method protects adjacent berth structures and allows port operations to continue during the project.
Wharf and Berth Removal
Sill and Caisson Cutting
Vessel Component Cutting
By mounting our underwater saws directly to the ship hull, we can cut rudder control shafts and other internal ship components that require access without drydocking. For complex interior cutting — such as our work on the NS Savannah, the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship — we design and fabricate customized equipment on site to address the specific geometry and constraints of the job.
Advanced Marine Demolition Services
Expert Marine Demolition: Case Studies in Excellence
Bluegrass has a proven track record of solving the “impossible” in the marine sector. Our work at the Port of Los Angeles and the Copano Bay Bridge demonstrates our ability to deploy as a specialized marine demolition contractor to handle pile cutting and structural sectioning under strict environmental regulations.
We don’t just provide equipment; we provide a comprehensive demolition strategy that minimizes downtime. From the Blount Island Sill Removal to the Nuclear Ship Savannah Renovation, our competent operators consistently deliver on schedule, maintaining project budgets since 1979.
Marine Demolition FAQs
Can your equipment handle both concrete and metal cutting underwater?
How does Bluegrass ensure environmental safety during marine demolition?
What types of marine structures do you typically dismantle?
Our marine demolition contractors frequently work on piers, wharfs, mooring dolphins, caissons, bollards, and bridge footings. We also provide specialized cutting services for ship renovations and offshore platform segmentation.