Water is the natural enemy of every structure.
No sensible person would plan to build a structure on, or in, water unless they are compelled to do so. But with harbour facilities, this compulsion is in the nature of things.
Thus, the planning and realisation of harbour facilities, involving extremely difficult constructional and hydraulic challenges – especially with regard to extreme ground mechanical conditions – is subject to the ongoing struggle against the proverbial dripping water that wears away the stone.
