Project Spotlight: Pile Jacket Installation
At Gemstone Industrial Services, our history of excellence in pile jacket installation stretches back decades, with projects completed for both the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Under our former name, Jewell Painting, Inc., Cameron Jewell, now Manager of Gemstone, led several bonded and
prime pile jacket contracts that laid the foundation for our reputation today.
A Legacy of Success One of our most notable projects came in the 1980s with the Bahia Honda Bridge in the Florida Keys, where our team jacketed approximately 150 piles over a six-month period in partnership with Misener Marine of Tampa, now Orion Marine. That project demonstrated our ability to handle complex marine work and set the tone for the decades of infrastructure
restoration projects that followed.
Proven Means and Methods For current projects, Gemstone utilizes shallow draft sectional barges to transport equipment and materials, ensuring access to piles in all locations. Piles in shallow water are accessed directly from the bay bottom, eliminating the need for divers unless required. Every step is executed in line with manufacturer-approved installation procedures and subject to Keys
Energy Engineering approval, ensuring safety, compliance, and performance.
Commitment to Safety Safety is central to every project we deliver. We maintain complete OSHA compliance. supported by three years of documented OSHA 300 logs. Our teams also hold FDOT MOT
training certifications, ensuring any lane closures are supervised by fully qualified personnel. By adhering to strict safety protocols, we guarantee both worker protection and project
reliability.
Direct Delivery, Trusted Quality Gemstone completes these projects without reliance on subcontractors, except for specialized divers when necessary. This approach allows us to maintain consistent quality, accountability, and efficiency from start to finish. While we have not installed the LifeJacket system in the Florida Keys, our record of success with FDOT and VDOT speaks to our expertise and
reliability.
Built to Last
