Marine Drilling and Blasting (D&B) remains one of the most specialised disciplines in dredging. When rock is too strong for even the largest backhoe dredgers or cutter suction dredgers, marine drilling and blasting becomes the only viable solution.
Learn from Industry Experience in Marine Drilling and Blasting
in2Dredging Pty Ltd (i2D) is hosting a Marine D&B Masterclass led by Greg Miller. Greg is a highly experienced marine drilling and blasting specialist with decades of offshore dredging experience.
He began his marine drilling and blasting career as a trained shotfirer as an employee of WestHam Dredging Company, a joint venture between HAM Dredging (now Van Oord) and Boskalis (including the Boskalis subsidiary, Rockfall)
With WestHam, he worked on the Woodside Supply Base project and the Newcastle Harbour Deepening Project between 1977 and 1982, followed by various Tasmanian ports.
Lessons from the Newcastle Harbour Deepening Project
The Newcastle Harbour Deepening Project became a landmark drilling and blasting project. It remains one of the most challenging offshore D&B contracts ever undertaken. Accordingly, it helped shape many of the marine blasting operational practices, safety standards and dredging methodologies still in use today.
The wealth of important lessons learnt for the marine drilling and blasting industry were both tragic and triumphant. Some lessons exposed the harsh reality of inadequate historical safety standards. However, others demonstrated the achievement of very high safety standards after the necessary reforms were implemented.
The operational and technical refinements achieved during the project’s six years were particularly rewarding. They also delivered significant benefits to the marine drilling and blasting industry. This resulted from continuous improvement across every level of the organisation and throughout all areas of work, from engineers to drillers.
Fragmentation was improved from the initial poor and haphazard results by imitating quarrying techniques. This was combined with the use of the best equipment and products adapted to the marine setting.
The project also reinforced the critical importance of environmental management and stakeholder engagement. This was particularly evident as blasting often occurred near residential areas. Consequently, strict vibration monitoring, clear public communication, and tightly controlled operations were essential to ensure safe operating limits were maintained.
Safety Improvements in Offshore Blasting Operations
However, the overwhelming achievement was the modernisation of work practices to achieve an exemplary standard of safety. These changes became necessary following a tragic accident on board the D&B barge Gemini, which caused multiple fatalities and injuries.
The incident contributed to the development of improved marine blasting protocols and safer explosive handling procedures. Many of these practices remain largely unchanged to this day. It also drove the introduction of safer products that continue to be widely used throughout the industry.
The scale and complexity of underwater blasting also reinforced the need for:
- Well-trained supervisory personnel
- Strong marine safety systems
- Robust explosive handling protocols and procedures
- Effective risk management in offshore marine environments
Why Marine D&B Remains a Critical Capability
Today, marine drilling and blasting remains a niche discipline but a critical capability within the dredging industry. Few contractors undertake this high-risk work due to:
- Uncertainties in drilling rates for extremely hard rock
- Complex environmental approval requirements
- Strict safety and operational controls
- Specialist equipment and personnel demands
Yet, marine drilling and blasting remains essential for many offshore projects. When executed correctly, it is a powerful and sustainable solution for enabling otherwise unfeasible projects.
Join the D&B Masterclass
Step into the world of marine drilling and blasting and learn directly from experienced offshore dredging practitioners. Sharpen your understanding of key risks and gain the practical know‑how to confidently plan and deliver your next marine D&B project.
Course Details
- Date: Monday 29 June 2026
- Duration: 3 hours from 8 am – 11 am, Perth, Western Australian time (GMT+8)
- Delivery: Online and in person at i2D’s offices
- Registration: Via the Drilling & Blasting (D&B) Masterclass registration page
Full details of the course content can be found in the D&B Masterclass Training Brochure.
Join i2D's Marine D&B Masterclass and Learn from Frontline Offshore Blasting Experience!
Require Further Information?
Contact Grace Dennis via email at Grace.Dennis@in2Dredging.com or phone on +61 (0) 413 689 377.