From the Jurassic Coast to Baghdad: The Global Odyssey of the Weymouth Sea Life Tower
For years, it was a defining feature of the Dorset skyline—a 174-foot beacon offering panoramic views of the Jurassic Coast. Built to celebrate the spirit of the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Weymouth Sea Life Tower (later known as the Jurassic Skyline) was a landmark that thousands of tourists called home during their summer holidays. However, in 2019, the gondola made its final descent, and the tower disappeared from the horizon.
Many locals wondered: what ever happened to the iconic structure? As it turns out, the tower didn’t just go into storage; it embarked on a massive international journey that has seen it relocated over 3,000 miles away.
A Masterclass in Deconstruction
Moving a 174-foot steel structure is no simple feat. The project was managed by UCARGO, a specialist freight forwarding company experienced in complex “project cargo.” The process began with a meticulous deconstruction phase in Weymouth, requiring some of the UK’s largest cranes and months of logistical planning.
Safety was paramount. Because of the tower’s immense height, the team had to secure air clearance before work could even begin. Once the site was prepared, the tower was dismantled piece by piece. The sheer scale of the materials was staggering: the entire structure was eventually packed onto five 40ft flat racks and six 40ft high-cube containers.
The Pitstop in Turkey
The tower’s first international stop was Turkey. This wasn’t just a logistical layover; it was a crucial phase for the tower’s rejuvenation. In Turkey, the structure underwent a comprehensive “makeover” and technical inspection.
Every component was checked for structural integrity, and the exterior was refurbished to ensure it looked as pristine as it did on its opening day in 2012. This stage ensured that the tower would meet international safety standards for its next chapter in a vastly different climate.
A New Horizon in Baghdad
After being refreshed in Turkey, the components were loaded once again for the final leg of their journey. The destination? Baghdad, Iraq.
The tower has now arrived in the Iraqi capital, where it is being reassembled to serve as a major attraction. Photos from the site show the familiar white columns of the Weymouth landmark rising once again, though the view from the top will now feature the Tigris River and the bustling cityscape of Baghdad rather than the English Channel.
A Legacy Continued
While some Weymouth residents may miss the rotating gondola that once defined their seafront, the “Weymouth Tower” lives on.
Its transformation from a seaside attraction in Dorset to a centerpiece in the Middle East is a testament to modern engineering and the global nature of the amusement industry.
The tower’s journey—spanning the UK, Turkey, and Iraq—proves that while landmarks may leave their original home, they rarely truly disappear. They simply find a new audience to inspire, thousands of miles away.
