3 September 2012 Last updated at 19:34

Guernsey power station generator arrives

The barge Terra Marique delivered a £14m 360-tonne electricity generator for Guernsey's power station over three days. After delays caused by bad weather, the vessel arrived in St Sampson's Harbour on Saturday, 1 September 2012.

Hundreds of islanders turned out to witness the arrival of the 2,214-tonne vessel, cramming the piers along St Sampson's Harbour as well as the coastline to the north. The barge had travelled to Guernsey from Holland, via Southampton.

Terra Marique, MTS Valour, Sarnia workboat and harbour pilot in St Sampson's Harbour

The manoeuvring of the large vessel inside the harbour was assisted by the tug MTS Valour, which had accompanied the barge to the island, and two local vessels - the Sarnia workboat and the harbour pilot.

Terra Marique manoeuvring in St Sampson's Harbour

St Sampson's Harbour was closed for the evening of Sunday, 2 September as cables needed to be stretched across the harbour to allow the barge to come alongside Abraham's Bosom and offload the 360-tonne generator.

Terra Marique coming alongside Abraham's Bosom in St Sampson's Harbour

The 80m long Terra Marique has been specially designed and built to handle abnormally large loads, which has previously included Concorde and Eurostar, and can land loads via harbours, riverbanks and beaches.

Terra Marique pushing off from Abraham's Bosom in St Sampson's Harbour

The offloading was completed before the high tide at 20:45 BST on Sunday. Once the barge had returned to its previous mooring site at the south side of the harbour the marina was reopened to traffic.

Generator and engine ready to be transported

The three sections, the generator, engine and transformer, were taken separately along North Side road to the power station, in the Vale, on the morning of Monday, 3 September. Fitting out the generator is expected to take until December with it due to start producing power in March.

Guernsey Electricity new engine for generator

The heaviest part of the equipment, the engine, was transported on a special 96-wheeler remote controlled trailer. It was the single largest piece of machinery ever brought ashore in the Bailiwick.

A large crowd gathered to watch the delivery of the £14m generator, which had been ordered by Guernsey Electricity as other generators were approaching the end of their 35-year expected lifespan.

Guernsey

Guernsey power station generator arrives

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