Met Mast Installation - Saxa Vord

Description: Meteorological Mast Installation

Client: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Services: Structural Engineering | Project Planning | Coordination | Main Contractor | Site Management

Time Span: 2020

Photos: CASE Shetland

An interesting project involving the delivery of a new MET mast and associated equipment at Saxa Vord, located on the northern edge of the most northerly inhabited island in the UK.  Logistically challenging, physically remote and extremely exposed – this was never going to be a straightforward installation.

The site holds the unofficial British record for wind speed, which in 1992 was recorded at 197 mph (317 km/h), just moments before the measuring equipment blew away.  The installation of the MET mast was required to provide accurate meteorological data for the site, which hosts a strategically important Remote Radar Head (RRH).

CASE Shetland were employed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to undertake the installation, including all necessary planning, logistical arrangements and site management.  We were ably supported by two locally based Sub-Contractors.  Sandisons (Unst) Limited undertook the civil engineering groundworks and Nordri Limited were responsible for the mechanical and electrical works.

Despite some atrocious weather conditions, the infrastructure was successfully installed and commissioned, and now provides ‘real time’ weather data from the northern tip of the UK.  We are delighted to have assisted with this project.