MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve

The Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (OCMR) is a 100-acre island development within the Bimini Chain of Islands in The Bahamas. The island was used historically for sand mining and processing operations and was purchased by MSC Cruises with the intent of transforming the barren industrial landscape into a lush tropical escape for the exclusive use of its cruise passengers.

To accomplish this feat, large-scale dredging was deployed to create an access channel for the cruise ships and build up the island’s physical footprint. Marine and Earthworks were undertaken to form and armor the shoreline, create a primary port of entry, build two marinas, and shape 45 acres worth of beaches. Simultaneously, extensive environmental clean-up was undertaken to address decades of industrial use. Thirty core buildings were erected, including a Lighthouse, Restaurants, Tiki Bars, Bathrooms, Administrative Offices, and Staff Housing Complexes. Another fifty ancillary cabana structures were installed along the beaches. 75,000 trees and plants were installed, and over 2 miles worth of walkways and golf-cart pathways were cast. The Utility Infrastructure Complex built to support the island consisted of plants for Water Production, Storage and Distribution; Diesel and Solar Electrical Generation and Distribution; Irrigation Distribution; Wastewater Collection, Transmission, Treatment and Disposal; Fuel Storage and Distribution; Ice Production, Trash Compaction and Incineration, Site Lighting, Data and Communications and much more.

Benefits/Challenges

Unique Challenges

Raymond was brought in to provide comprehensive management of QA/QC services for the Owner because of our technical breadth and knowledge of local regulations earned from work on other large construction projects in the Caribbean. We furnished the project with Civil, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Building and Marine Engineers to observe construction progress, installation and material testing for compliance with plans and specs, and to provide local authorities with neutral third-party inspection records. To keep up with site schedule demands and track construction issues, Raymond kept a steady rotation of multidiscipline engineers, inspectors, and material testers onsite and responsive 24 hours a day. Marine Engineers inspected steel placement and monitored mass concrete pours of in-water structures, inspected sheet piling installations, and provided material testing for beach-sand placement. Civil Engineers monitored the installation of underground utilities, earthworks, and provided in-field design consultation to rapidly address ever-changing field conditions and to keep the schedule on track. Building Engineers addressed structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing concerns, and helped mediate humidity and corrosion issues. As the project neared substantial completion and its debut opening to the public, Raymond provided initial commissioning services, prioritizing life-safety corrective actions and recommending phased improvements to allow the island to open on time, start receiving guests, and begin generating revenue to fund future enhancements.

Our Value Add

We have prevented significant construction cost overruns to MSC Cruise Lines by observing installations and keeping records to determine compliance with contract documents. Our QA/QC team included specialized professionals such as submarine, concrete, soils and material inspectors, engineers and architects on site and with mainland support, allowed our team to provide MSC efficient, single source construction phase services.

Having Scuba Certified inspectors allowed our team to provide MSC with a full range of construction management services that included underwater structural inspections for the seawalls and docks that were built.