38 days, 26 Covid tests, four hotels and a cruise ship Salt separation engineers endure their toughest assignment ever in Germany
Wall repairs to shut main road
ATEAM of engineers from Rochdale underwent a total of 130 Covid tests and were away for 38 days as they completed the most challenging job in the history of their company.
The group from Salt Separation Services flew to Germany on February 19 to carry out check on machines that can each turn sea water into 800,000 litres of drinking water every day.
The reverse osmosis machines had been manufactured for a new cruise ship, installed by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft.
The tests would normally take up to 10 days to complete but because of Covid restrictions the team were away for 38 days and underwent a combined total of 130 Covid tests – all of which were negative.
The five-strong team, which was headed up by senior commissioning engineer James Schofield, also included Luke Boal, Lee Redfern, Graham Stott and Elliott Flynn.
James, who has worked for Salt Separation Services for nine years, said: “You have a lot of time to think.
“My room was about six metres by eight metres in size and I set myself a target of jogging a half marathon one day and walking the length of a marathon another during quarantine.
“At the end of the quarantine period we underwent the mandatory Covid tests and were driven to the port at Bremerhaven where the boat was leaving for sea trials. Needless to say we wore PPE throughout.
“After another Covid test we were allowed on-board.
“In total we spent 10 days onboard during the sea trials and slept on the cruise ship throughout. If we weren’t working we were in our individual cabins where our food was delivered.”
The tests were finished on Wednesday, March 24, but there was more drama when the group tried to fly home.
James added: “We caught a flight to Munich from Bremen where all our documentation was checked including our new PCR Covid test certification however when we went to board the plane to Manchester we were told we had the wrong Covid test and were refused entry on the flight. “It was devastating. “We had another test and were booked on a flight on Sunday, March 28, but were terrified that Germany was about to go into the red zone.
“Thankfully we were able to board our plane to London, where we hired a couple of cars and drove back to Rochdale. I walked through my front door at just after midnight in the early hours on March 29.
“In total I clocked up 38 days, underwent 26 Covid tests, stayed in four hotels and on one cruise ship. I even had my 34th birthday while I was away. It wasn’t your typical trip but our customer needed us.”
Daniel Shackleton, technical and commercial director at Salt Separation Services, said: “Without Covid we would have sent the guys in a van to Hull.
“From there they would have caught a ferry to Rotterdam and driven to Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg.
“They weren’t allowed to fly direct to Germany because the country’s in a Covid lockdown so instead they flew to Luxembourg and were driven to Papenburg – where they each had to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine.
“The guys have now got to self-isolate back in Rochdale for at least another five days, subject to test results. I’m really proud of them and everyone else at Salt Separation Services.”
ROADS bosses have alerted drivers to disruption on the main road between Rochdale and Ramsbottom while repairs take place to a retaining wall.
Work started this week near Turn to demolish and rebuild a section of the wall supporting the A680 Rochdale Road, near its junction with Scout Road.
The majority of the work will be carried out with a single lane closure in place, using temporary lights to control traffic.
However, overnight road closures will be needed at times due to the size of the construction machinery used to install, and later remove, steel sheet piles.
Rochdale Road is scheduled to be closed for up to seven nights from 9pm until 6am from Tuesday, April 6, and again for up to two nights from Thursday, June 3 while this work takes place.
While the road is closed a diversion suitable for all vehicles will be signed via A56 Manchester Road, the M66, A58 Bury New Road, Queen’s Park Road and Norden Road.
The project is scheduled to be completed, and all traffic management removed, by June 9, as long as no major delays are caused due to poor weather.
Kenton Chong, principal bridge engineer for Lancashire County Council, said: “Rochdale Road is a very busy route, and we’ve planned this essential maintenance to the retaining wall very carefully to minimise disruption as much as we can. There will be some noise from machinery, however we will try to carry out the noisiest activities during the day and put noise protection measures in place where required.
“Most of the work can be done with only a lane closure in place, however I’d ask people to note the upcoming overnight road closures in case they need to plan their travel around this.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience and are grateful for people’s patience while we carry out this essential maintenance.”