A group of professional engineers who fulfill their mission with responsibility
[Fleet Leader] Yoshiyuki Shimotome
The Chiba branch where I work handles a lot of sea construction in the summer and river construction in the winter. During the dry season, especially from November to May, most of our vessels travel up rivers. To navigate up rivers, they must pass under dozens of bridges. Many of the bridges in the Tokyo area are very low, so we meticulously calculate bridge heights and tide levels before creating navigation plans. Many of our navigations occur at night due to the night tide (low tide, which is significantly lower than daytime), and we often only have a clearance of less than 10 cm. Even when we know from calculations and measurements that we can pass, it's still nerve-wracking when a low bridge approaches. To safely moor under these low bridges, we use expandable spat systems that can be extended underwater. This is a distinctive feature of our company and is in high demand.
Our company was an early adopter of bridge-lifting pushers, which are becoming popular in the Tokyo area, and we operate them safely. The ability to stop towed vessels such as non-powered crane boats and barges on narrow rivers with many other ships is a huge factor in peace of mind and safety. Another major feature of our company is our fleet of 400 SD (assembly barges). Wherever there is water, we can transport them and assemble them into the appropriate shape for the site, then load them with equipment such as cranes and backhoes for construction and operation.
My goal is to build and safely operate a crane barge that I have drawn and designed myself. I am still inexperienced, but I would like to gain experience, knowledge, and skills, and work together with everyone involved in shipping to safely and smoothly operate over 100 ships on these dangerous waters.
My goal is to build and safely operate a crane barge that I have drawn and designed myself. I am still inexperienced, but I would like to gain experience, knowledge, and skills, and work together with everyone involved in shipping to safely and smoothly operate over 100 ships on these dangerous waters.
[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 surveying. The Kashima Branch Diving Team, to which I belong, has the opportunity to be involved in all five departments, and we have to deal with 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.
