Case Study 3: Intrusive Survey & UXO Excavation at Northern Dock

BACTEC was brought in to support a large-scale build at a dockside site in the North of England.  With a major development planned, our client needed intrusive surveys carried out along an old dock wall.  This was an area with a complex industrial history and a potential for buried UXO.

How We Tackled It
Our drilling rig and survey platform were mobilised swiftly, attending site to pre-drill investigation points and support detailed intrusive survey works.

The site came with exceptionally strict safety and operational constraints, including tight access, live dockside operations, and enhanced health and safety protocols.  

Our team worked in shifts around the clock, ensuring dynamic risk assessments were constantly updated to reflect evolving conditions.

Phase 1 went smoothly and on schedule - but then things got…interesting!

During the survey, we identified a large metallic mass deep within the ground.  Phase 2 was triggered immediately: a full engineering-led excavation to expose, assess, and safely identify the object.

Here’s What We Did:

  • Controlled survey excellence: our intrusive survey team worked under complex dockside conditions while maintaining full compliance with stringent safety regulations.  And the whinging was minimal!
  • Rapid response engineering: when the anomaly was detected, we pivoted quickly into excavation mode, designing and delivering an engineering solution in-house.  We won’t lie, we relished the challenge.
  • End-to-end delivery: from first drill to final clearance, BACTEC oversaw the entire project lifecycle, handing back a fully cleared site with minimal disruption to the wider programme.

The Outcome
The object was excavated, assessed, and ultimately cleared without incident.  Thanks to our team's fast response, technical agility and calm under pressure, the site was handed back without delay to the client, ready for construction to proceed.

Why BACTEC?
When unexpected risks surface, you need a partner who can move quickly, think smart, and stay safe.  At BACTEC we don’t just identify problems!  We problem solve, deliver the solution and we do it safe and right.