Scheduled nuclear outages are built on precision, coordination, and trust. Every work scope is planned months, and often years, in advance to ensure facilities return to service safely and on schedule. When underwater inspections, repairs, or debris removal are part of that scope, the same level of preparation must extend below the waterline.

Underwater work cannot be treated as a last-minute task during a refueling outage. It should be integrated into outage planning early, aligned with plant milestones and executed by teams that understand the pace, expectations, and discipline of nuclear work.

Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) operates the Rock Island Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River approximately 14 miles downstream of Wenatchee, WA. The project has two powerhouses, a gated spillway, and three fish passages.

Brennan was contracted to perform concrete overlays in the draft tube of Unit B-8 in Powerhouse #1 to increase the efficiency of the hydro turbine and reduce future cavitation. At the same time, the client took advantage of this outage to perform rehabilitation and upgrades to the hydro unit and generator.

Accessing A Draft Tube 100 Feet Below the Surface

To access our work area, the Chelan County PUD installed upstream and downstream bulkheads to dewater the draft tube, removing the entire hydro turbine to assist in other planned rehabilitation. Dewatering pumps lowered the water level to approximately 3 feet, and the rest was up to us.

We are thrilled to announce that Brennan's Poulsbo, WA, and Winters, CA, sites have officially earned certification to ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) Systems as part of our most recent scope extension.

This is an outstanding achievement that not only highlights our technical expertise but also demonstrates our continued commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and the health and safety of our employees, clients, and stakeholders.

Identifying Spillway Failure Risks and Project Background

The Upper Baker Dam Spillway Stabilization project addressed potential failure modes in the dam’s spillway chute’s foundation, identified during a 2019 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Part 12D dam safety workshop. After extensive analysis, design, and consultation with FERC, the project came to fruition.

When a structural failure at the Demopolis Lock and Dam in Alabama brought barge traffic to a halt on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), R&D Maintenance, and J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) joined forces to deliver a fast, high-stakes solution. The breach—described by Colonel Jeremy Chapman of USACE as “a hole the size of a school bus”—stopped commercial navigation across two major waterways and threatened economic losses in the millions each month.

Refinery Wastewater Pond Cleanup with Remote Dredging

We recently completed the cleanup of two wastewater ponds for a large producer of transportation fuels. Using a remotely controlled dredge, Brennan removed wastewater sludge from impoundments on the refinery site and dewatered the material with six 2-meter belt filter presses. The remotely controlled dredge added a layer of safety to the project, preventing any health risks that a Leverman might face if exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas released during the dredging process.

Milestone Achievement in Quality, Environmental, and Safety Standards

We are proud to announce that our corporate offices in North Kingstown, RI, and Ottawa, IL, have been officially certified under ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) Systems standards. This certification extension ensures that our customers nationwide will continue to experience the same exceptional service, quality, and craftsmanship synonymous with Brennan. It also marks a significant step forward in our growth into submarine cable, offshore wind, and renewable energy projects along the coast.

ROV stands for remotely operated vehicle. They are highly maneuverable unoccupied machines used to observe and work underwater, often in areas that are deemed too dangerous for commercial divers. ROV pilots can operate them from a nearby shore or boat.

Remotely operated vehicles are versatile tools commonly used in our industry to inspect, monitor underwater structures, and perform complex work tasks in depths divers cannot access. Although, more recreational ROVs are available with advancements in technology. These revolutionary machines are utilized by many industries to reduce costs to clients and keep divers safe in unknown or dangerous conditions.

This past year, we made another key asset purchase: the SHERP ATV (SHERP). In addition to our Diamondback Airboat, the SHERP solidifies our durability and efficiency in working throughout wetland and marshy areas.

As a marine solutions company, J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) faces a unique array of regulations and rules. While every company deals with regulations, most deal with rules that impact operations only on land or only in the water. We are accountable for regulatory requirements in both areas and have been for years. So, what's changed and what are we doing about it?