Fort Oranje, St. Eustatius

The historic Fort Oranje stands on a cliff which suffered from erosion. The goal was to maintain today's stable situation and to preserve it for the future. A package of civil engineering works was designed and installed.

«The cliff consists of various layers of volcanic stones and ashes pressed together. This type of cliff is very sensitive to erosion. Cavities have been created, by groundwater seeping through the cliff as well as by rain and wind. Roaming goats play a major role in erosion on the island»

«Since February 2019, 2'800 anchors, 7400 square meters of canvas and just under 16.000 square meter of mesh have been placed. The project is meant to increase stability and stop the eroding of the cliff for the next five decades.

In the blazing sun, hanging on ropes, the workers of AcrobatsX have placed 42 kilometers of anchors in the cliff. During the last year the French acrobats abseiling from the cliff was a daily activity.

When my wife, Courtney, and I visited St.Eustatius in December 2019 for the first time, we saw the helicopter flying back and forth to F.D. Roosevelt Airport transporting the wire mesh. The French company is specialized in combatting falling stones.

Here the objective is to stop further erosion in order to prevent Fort Oranje from tumbling down in the Caribbean see. Seeds from native species will be planted before the rainy season starts Oleanders and Beach Morning Glory will be planted by Stenapa in September!»

We have cited Marnix van Rij, Governor St.Eustatius, who posted about about the finished stabilization works on LinkedIn, June 2020.

Geobrugg delivered 95 rolls of TECCO® 65/3 STAINLESS mesh.

Consulting: GEO BENELUX, Geobrugg Partner&Supplier Benelux countries, www.geobenelux.com