Underwater Concrete Wire Cutting in Angola
In a high-stakes marine environment like Sonils Harbour in Luanda, Angola, submerged obstructions can present serious logistical and safety concerns. When Solvocore was approached to assist in the removal of a sunken concrete caisson – one that had been underwater for decades. Our team knew we were facing a technically demanding and unconventional challenge.
The caisson had come to rest on the ocean floor years ago – its origin a mystery, but its presence an increasing hazard. Over time, it became a serious navigation risk for the large commercial vessels frequenting this high-traffic port.
Leaving it in place was no longer an option. Yet, conventional demolition methods were ruled out due to the complex underwater conditions and limited safe access.
As Southern Africa’s leading specialist in concrete rehabilitation and modification, Solvocore was brought in to engineer a safer, smarter solution. Our team thrives on technically demanding environments – and this was exactly the kind of challenge we’re built for.
Solvocore deployed wire cutting technology – typically used in surface-based demolition and adapted it for underwater use. One of the main challenges? Electricity and water don’t mix. Our team developed innovative methods to manipulate existing cutting systems for submerged conditions, while ensuring both safety and precision.
We engineered a network of concrete anchor blocks, which were placed using a mobile crane from the surface. These held a pulley system in place to guide the wire saw in both horizontal and vertical planes — essential for cutting the caisson into smaller, retrievable segments.
Thanks to close collaboration with a specialised diving team, we were able to manage underwater installations and cutting progress in real time. Each section was safely separated and recovered – reducing the hazard to harbour operations and opening up safer navigation routes for commercial vessels.
We faced a number of challenges:
Debris Interference: Floating debris repeatedly caused jams in the wire.
Visibility and Access: Divers had to work in low-visibility conditions to install and adjust pulleys.
- Precision Cutting: The size and shape of the caisson required highly controlled cutting sequence.
The operation was a success. Solvocore once again demonstrated the power of adaptable engineering, teamwork, and smart technology in action – even beneath the surface.
