Ben Wells

Ben Wells

With over 25 years of experience in the maritime sector, Ben is one of Tasmania’s most experienced marine construction professionals. His career spans life raft manufacturing, underwater oil and gas pipeline work, and commercial vessel maintenance.

Since joining Tas Marine in 2007, Ben has played a pivotal role in almost every major project, including the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Breakwall and numerous marina and bridge developments across Tasmania and New Zealand. He is highly regarded for his expertise in operations management, logistics, technical assessments, and safety, bringing a steady hand and practical insight to every project.

Background and Experience

Ben has 25+ years’ experience, having embraced a career in the maritime sector from manufacturing of Life rafts and lifesaving appliances, underwater oil and gas pipelines, commercial vessel operation maintenance and repairs to now being one of the most experienced Marine construction operators in Tasmania. Ben first joined TMC in 2007 as a leading hand on the construction of a new Break wall for the Royal Yacht club of Tasmania. Since then, Ben has been involved in most projects completed by TMC.

Other Interests

Ben is a keen sportsman enjoying recreational boating, fishing and diving.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Construction Project Management with Honour

Operations Manager

Ben is our second most experienced operative Ben has a diploma in construction management and has 20 years experience in Marine Construction. Qualifications include coxswain, crane, rigging, high-risk licence

Bellerive Stormwater Upgrade

Client: City of Clarence

Date Completed: May 2025

Total Contract Sum: $1.2M

Description of works:

Tas Marine delivered Clarence City Council’s largest infrastructure project to date, including constructing a temporary sheet pile cofferdam across Bellerive Beach to enable excavation for a new stormwater outfall. Over 200 tonnes of steel were installed using specialised equipment. The new upgrade reduces flood risk to surrounding residential areas and supports long-term coastal resilience.

New Boat Stack Seawall

Client: Williamstown

Date Completed: Current

Total Contract Sum:

Description of works

Tas Marine Construction has been contracted to deliver a 200-metre long break wall at Williamstown.

The combination wall design consists of 16mm sheet piles with rock-socketed piles installed at every second sheet. With challenging hard basalt ground conditions, Tas Marine is applying its specialist hard rock drilling expertise to drill and concrete the piles into position. Completion is scheduled for late 2025.

Details of Innovations and extra value for money

Client Contact:

Travel Lift Jetties

Client: Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

Date Completed: Current

Total Contract Sum: 

Description of works

Tas Marine Construction was awarded the competitive tender to replace the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria’s aging travel lift jetties. 

Works include demolition of the existing jetties, installation of new piles, and the supply and fit of steel superstructure and precast deck units. The project is progressing on schedule and will be completed ahead of the arrival of the new travel lift in mid-October.

Details of any  Variations

Details of Innovations and extra value for money

Client Contact:

Waikawa Breakwall (NZ)

Client: Port Marlborough

Date Completed: Current

Total Contract Sum: $12.2M

Description of works

Construction of 500m long piled break-wall in up to 18m water depth. Precast wave panels are 8m deep weighing 25t. Total weight of structure 6000t.

Details of any Variations

Variations for additional PDA testing, pile lengths, pull out tests, acceleration and pile fins were approved and paid. Some painting was deleted and client was given a discount.

Details of Innovations and extra value for money  
Raker piles were not achieving tension capacity at contract lengths. We used pile offcut steel to manufacture spiral welded fins on the bottom of the piles which increased tension capacity.
Client Contact: Grant Beatie: +64 21239244

Bellerive Yacht Club new Marina arm

Client: Bellingham marine Australia
Date completed: Feb 2025
Total contract sum: $380,000
Description of works:
Supply and install steel piles with poly sleeves into rock. Take delivery of pontoons and assemble on water. Fit abutment and gangway. Install coverboard and buffer.
Details of Innovations and extra value for money:
TMC was able to use our new 40t crane for the duration to save hiring a crane. The trucks were often delayed so would have meant lots of variation charges if we had to hire a crane extra times
Client Contact: Mr Marc Carney