Pipe Ahoy - long load sets sail for Cumbria

A new pipe destined for Cumbria has started its journey across the North Sea being towed by the tug Thor Goliath. This picture shows the 1km pipe, in four sections, as it started its journey from the port of Stathelle, in Norway, on Friday (July 13), where it was manufactured for water firm United Utilities by specialist pipe manufacturer Pipelife.
The sections are expected to arrive at Workington docks at the end of this week where they will be jointed together into a single piece and fitted with concrete collars.

From there, the complete pipe will eventually be towed to Whitehaven, where it will be carefully sunk into position on the sea bed, ready to start work taking Whitehaven's treated water and storm water out to sea.

It's part of an £8m project to replace United Utilities' existing long sea outfall pipe from Parton Waste Water Treatment Works, so the company can continue its vital work protecting Cumbria's beautiful coast for future generations.

Design manager Martin Berry said: "It's quite a sight. We get regular updates from the captain. Pipelife are specialists at taking pipe like this all over the world. It's very flexible and can cope with the sea's swell, which is about a metre at the moment (Monday)."