Dornoch Gondola Project Appoints First Apprentice Marine and Demolition Diver

Gondola News

No idea of the risks involved

Staff July 14, 2025

The Dornoch Gondola Project is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles 'CJ' Smith as its first Apprentice Marine and Demolition Diver, marking a significant milestone in the project's marine infrastructure development phase.

In this specialized position, Charles 'CJ' Smith will be responsible for the critical underwater demolition work required to create suitable seabed footings for the gondola towers that will span the Dornoch Firth. This challenging role combines advanced diving skills with precision explosives handling to ensure the marine foundations meet the exacting engineering standards required for the aerial tramway system.


The Dornoch Firth crossing represents one of the most technically challenging aspects of the gondola project, requiring specialized marine expertise to establish stable foundation points in the challenging underwater environment. This appointment demonstrates the project's commitment to employing highly skilled professionals for this critical phase of construction.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have found someone willing to take on this challenging role," said Sam Bethune, Marine Operations Supervisor. "The truth is, no one else was willing to swim the explosives out to sea - it's demanding, specialized work that requires both courage and precision. We finally found someone that has no idea of the risks involved."


Marine foundation work is scheduled to commence in the coming months, representing a crucial phase in the overall gondola project timeline. The successful completion of seabed preparation will enable the installation of the tower foundations that will support the aerial tramway across the Dornoch Firth.

Comments

Leave a Comment
Your email will not be published.

Comments are moderated and will appear after approval.