High-Tech Wharf Gains Worldwide Attention

A new section of wharf in the village of Halls Harbour on the Bay of Fundy has captured the attention of engineers around the world.

The wharf is the world's first marine structure with fiber optics and remote monitoring devices embedded in a steel-free concrete deck system. It is designed to last more than 80 years -- nearly three times as long as a traditionally built wharf.

"The community of Halls Harbour is proud to be the host site for this innovative project," said Garnet Parker, president of the Harbour Authority of Halls Harbour. "It has not only helped us to replace important infrastructure for this community, but it also resulted in new technology that others can now use for stronger, longer-lasting wharves in Nova Scotia and abroad."

Intelligent Sensing of Innovative Structures (ISIS) Canada will use the fiber optic and remote monitoring devices to track the wharf's behavior in a variety of severe maritime conditions over the next two years.

A consortium led by Nova Scotia companies and researchers developed new technologies to build the wharf.

"This wharf represents a great achievement for both the people of Halls Harbour and Nova Scotia's research and development professionals," said MLA Mark Parent on behalf of Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. "By investing in this project, we've helped to sustain this community's fishing and tourism industries and to develop new technologies for export. Both of these activities help to grow the provincial economy."

After a 1997 winter storm washed away a 50-metre section of the old wharf, the community of Halls Harbour rallied to raise funds for a replacement. The Harbour Authority of Halls Harbour co- ordinated fundraising efforts for the $597,100 project. Friends in Support of Halls Harbour raised $20,000 directly from community members.

Another $397,000 came from the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification, which supported this initiative as a demonstration project for marine building technology that could potentially be exported to other markets. The agreement is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Nova Scotia Economic Development.

"As a result of the partnerships that have been developed by both the private and public sectors, leading edge technology has been developed and put to practical use right here in Halls Harbour," said Senator Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of George Baker, Secretary of State for ACOA. "And, it is partnerships like these that are helping to position our province as a leader in technology."

Contributions were also made by Fisheries and Oceans, Municipality of King's County, the King's Community Economic Development Agency, ISIS Canada and the National Research Council.

The consortium of companies and researchers also contributed in-kind products and services to the project. The consortium includes Vaughan Engineering Associates Ltd., Nova Scotia CAD/CAM Centre at Dalhousie, Waterworks Construction, Shaw Pipe, Pultrall Inc., Forta Corporation, Synthetic Industries, St. Lawrence Cement, MTT Aliant, RocTest Inc., CAN/ACM, and JMBT Structures Research. Members of the consortium are now exploring export markets for their new products in the United States and South America.

"This wharf's construction is in the same league as superior engineering projects in Germany or other parts of Europe," said Dr. Aftab Mufti, director of the CAD/CAM centre and vice president of ISIS Canada. "The Halls Harbour model is a fitting showcase for the many industrial and scientific visitors who will come to Nova Scotia to see our technology and craftsmanship at work."

Unique worldwide, the wharf demonstration project in Halls Harbour has been accomplished through the partnership of all levels of government, the private sector, community residents and the vision and driving force of the local harbour authority.

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