A cofferdam is a watertight structure built to allow the enclosed area to be pumped out, creating a dry work environment.
The Battleship cofferdam enables workers to repair and restore the ship’s corroded hull, which is paper-thin in places.
The Battleship’s last major dry docking and repair work was done in 1953.
The cofferdam was constructed by Orion Marine Group of Norfolk, VA.
The SECU Memorial Walkway
The SECU Memorial Walkway is a half-mile-long, 10-foot-wide timber walkway surrounding the Battleship.
The SECU Memorial Walkway is above the water line but below the main deck of the Battleship.It enables visitors to see the ship’s entire hull for the first time.
The SECU Memorial Walkway includes five bump-out areas to honor each of the five branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. The Merchant Marines will be honoredby flying their flag on the quarterdeck.
The SECU Memorial Walkway is open to the public and free of charge.
