A group of professional engineers who fulfill their mission with responsibility
[Fleet Leader] Yoshiyuki Shimotome
The Chiba branch where I work does a lot of construction work on the sea in the summer and on rivers in the winter, and most of the ships belonging to the Chiba branch go up the river, especially during the dry season from November to May. To go up the river, they have to go under dozens of bridges. Many of the bridges in the Tokyo area are very low, so we carefully calculate the bridge height and tide level, create a navigation plan, and then navigate. Many of the navigations are done at night due to the night tide (low tide is much lower than daytime), and we often have to pass with a clearance of less than 11 cm. Even if we know that we can pass by calculation and actual measurement, it's still nerve-wracking when a low bridge approaches us. In order to safely moor under the low bridge, we use spat that can expand and contract under the water, which is one of our company's characteristics and is in high demand.
Our company was an early adopter of bridge-lifting pushers, which are becoming popular in the Tokyo area, and is operating safely. Being able to stop unpowered crane ships and barges on narrow rivers with many ships is a huge relief and safety factor. Another major feature of our company is the 400 SD (assembly) barges we own. Wherever there is water, we can transport them to anywhere and assemble them to suit the site, then load them with cranes, backhoes, and other equipment and carry out construction and operation.
My goal is to build a crane barge that I have drawn and designed myself and operate it safely. I am still inexperienced, but I would like to gain experience, knowledge, and skills and work together with everyone involved in ships to operate over 100 ships safely and smoothly on this dangerous water.
My goal is to build a crane barge that I have drawn and designed myself and operate it safely. I am still inexperienced, but I would like to gain experience, knowledge, and skills and work together with everyone involved in ships to operate over 100 ships safely and smoothly on this dangerous water.
[Civil Engineer] Keisuke Minagawa
Our civil engineering division mainly carries out marine civil engineering works to build ports, fishing ports, and coastal facilities.
I am in charge of the restoration of coastal facilities, such as artificial reefs and offshore breakwaters, in Fukushima Prefecture, as part of the reconstruction work following the Great East Japan Earthquake. The work is carried out under special conditions on the sea and underwater, which are different from those on land, and so there is always danger involved. However, we are carrying out the entire process from construction to management in-house, and are making the most of the ship and diving technology we have cultivated over many years to complete the work on time and without accidents or disasters.
Marine civil engineering works are heavily influenced by natural conditions, and there are many instances when construction cannot proceed as originally planned, but the joy and sense of accomplishment when we overcome these challenges and finally complete the work is irreplaceable.
I would like to continue to gain experience in various fields and strive to contribute as a civil engineer to the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas and the future development of Japan.
I would like to continue to gain experience in various fields and strive to contribute as a civil engineer to the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas and the future development of Japan.
[Surveyor] Katsuhira Kinoshita
The Survey and Mapping Department, which I belong to, operates mainly in two divisions: "survey" and "surveying."
The "inspection" mainly involves the maintenance and management of ports, fishing ports, and coastal facilities, which deteriorate year by year. On land, we visually check for cracks and missing parts, and underwater, divers check the degree of corrosion of structures.
In the "surveying" section, we conduct groundbreaking surveys to confirm the current situation before construction begins, bathymetry and shoreline surveys to measure the depth to the seabed, etc. We conduct surveys using narrow multi-beam (echo sounder) that can check the seabed surface in 3D, and GNSS equipment that uses satellite information.
Survey and measurement technology is improving every day, so we will continue to keep our antennas open and strive to meet our customers' needs.
[Diver] Hideshun Akahira
Mikuniya Construction is broadly divided into five departments: civil engineering, marine engineering, diving, salvage, and investigation and surveying. The Kashima Branch Diving Team, which I belong to, has the opportunity to be involved in all five departments and must handle a wide variety of tasks, including construction and internal work.
Diving work involves a variety of tasks, including underwater surveys (such as underwater magnetic surveys), rubble leveling, excavation, welding and cutting, block installation, and many others. In addition to restrictions on visibility, movement, and sound, the diving conditions limit the time and scope of work, but the work itself is no different from land-based work. However, because we are underwater, we are constantly teetering alongside danger and there is a high possibility of a serious accident occurring, so we take careful crisis management measures and work with a sense of urgency every day.
I believe that a diver is someone who can dive and perform the work, so I would like to learn techniques and skills from people in various industries at various work sites, think about how I can use them in the future, and work hard every day to become a "water craftsman" who can rival divers from other companies and branches.
