Building coastal breakwaters, walls built out into the sea to protect the coastline, is hard when facing the powerful force of the ocean. As operators are required to dig and move earth underwater, they often can't see the bucket very clearly and need human assistance to keep every step perfect. Even small mistakes can lead to major problems—wasting time, materials, and money.
In Türkiye, a construction team was given the heavy task of building a breakwater. The project covers an area one kilometer wide and two kilometers long. It is planned to start in 2024 and finish in 2026, taking three years to complete. To get the job done with incredible accuracy, they found the solution in the FJD G31 PRO 3D Excavator Guidance System (Underwater Version).
The Challenges of Working Underwater
When digging a precise trench underwater, operators often can't see the bucket from the cab, so they have to rely on repeated manual checks to make sure they're at the right depth and angle. This method is slow, risky, and leads to several major issues:- Wasted Fuel: Under-excavation not only wastes time but also burns more fuel and requires the team to redo it, which increases costs.
- Delays and Rework: Over-excavation means too much material is removed, and the job has to be done again. This rework causes major project delays, pushing back the entire timeline.
- Expensive Surveys: A crew of divers or a survey boat would have to constantly check the work to make sure it met the design. These manual surveys are expensive, slow, and dangerous, further adding to project costs and delays.
- Inconsistent Quality: When operators can't see what they're doing, the final result is often inaccurate and inconsistent. This can affect the structural integrity of the breakwater, putting the whole project at risk.
The Smart Solution: FJD G31 PRO Underwater Version
After the first struggling year was completed in 2024, the construction team decided to try the FJD G31 PRO Underwater Version on their excavator in 2025. This system completely changed the way they worked. Instead of digging blindly, the operator now had a clear, real-time view of everything on a screen inside the cab. The system uses a high-precision GNSS receiver and coordinate system calculation to know the exact angle and position of the bucket tip at all times, down to ±3cm precision.
On the screen, the operator could see the digital blueprint of the breakwater and the live status of their machine. They could watch the bucket move in real-time and see its depth, angle, and position in relation to the final design. This meant they could dig exactly where they needed to, following the design perfectly.
Here's how this smart system gave the team a huge advantage:
- Centimeter-Level Accuracy: The G31 PRO works with an accuracy of just ±3 cm. This is a game-changer for underwater work, where being off by even a few inches can lead to a lot of waste. The system completely eliminated both over- and under-excavation.
- Time Savings: Because operators could see where they were digging, they got the job right the first time. This saved valuable time and kept the project on track.
- Reduced Costs: No over-excavation and under-excavation meant less wasted material and less fuel used. The team also saved a lot of money on costly underwater surveys, as the machine was doing the work with perfect accuracy.
- Increased Productivity: The intuitive and easy-to-use display meant that even less experienced operators could work with expert-level precision. This allowed the team to boost overall productivity and get more work done each day.
Real Results: Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget
The results from the second year of using the FJD G31 PRO were truly remarkable. The team saw a big increase in excavation efficiency. This wasn't just a small improvement; it meant they were moving more material, more accurately, in less time. With so much wasted time and material eliminated, the team was able to save a significant amount of money and manpower that would have otherwise been spent on repeated work and manual surveys.
The biggest win is that the three-year project is now on track to be finished a full year early, hopefully by early 2026. This is a testament to how much a single piece of smart technology can change a project's outcome. The team's investment in the G31 PRO didn't just prevent waste; it created a faster, more efficient, and more profitable way to build.
FAQs About Underwater Excavation with 3D Guidance
Q1: Why is underwater excavation so difficult?Operators cannot see clearly, which often leads to mistakes like over- or under-digging. This wastes resources and delays progress.
Q2: How does the FJD G31 PRO Underwater Version solve this?
It provides real-time guidance and accurate bucket positioning, allowing operators to dig precisely according to design without guesswork.
Q3: Can the system be used beyond coastal projects?
Yes. The underwater version is suitable for dams, ports, canals, and any project requiring precise underwater excavation.
Building a Smarter Future
The success of the FJD machine control system in Türkiye shows the future of construction, especially in complex environments like coastlines. By giving operators the right tools, construction teams can overcome the toughest challenges, save resources, and deliver higher-quality work.With two years left on the project, the Turkish construction team is confident in its ability to finish the job ahead of schedule by about one year, proving that smart excavation technology is the key to building stronger, more sustainable infrastructure for the future.