Colombo Dockyard repairs grounded vessel

Maridive 520, a supply tug operating in Colombo in a cable laying project, was grounded during operations. The vessel owned by Maritime & Oil Services "Maridive" SAE, one of the biggest vessel operators in Egypt. Upon suffering this damage the owners were looking out for a repair facility and Colombo Dockyard PLC was the automatic choice for this repair, the company said in a statement.

The shipyard was fully booked during the time of the initial inquiry, however proving Colombo Dockyard’s flexibility a suitable emergency slot was allocated for Maridive 520 along with another vessel in Dock No. 03. Thereafter she was re-docked again in Dock No. 04 for completion of the project. The initial work scope consisted of only the bottom grounding damage; subsequently the work package was enhanced with the requirement for installation of new Bow thrusters, when the owners experienced the capacity of ship yard.

The main work package consisted of renewal of over 100 Tons of steel mainly bottom steel and internals. Critical work was carried out on the tail shaft and rudder, work was executed on the Port and Stbd rudder carriers and precision alignment done meeting the class requirements. Both Propeller shafts were aligned and necessary repairs were carried out. Renewal of both Port & Stbd Kort-Nozzle sole plates were also handled successfully. Precision alignment and correction of both rudder blades and propeller shaft were carried out.

The difficult and time consuming job was the complete installation of the new bow thrusters. The new thrusters were installed by modifying ship’s hull and introducing new bow thrusters’ tunnel to meet with the new thrusters requirements. Installation of new generator, Switch board, Control panels, cabling, hydraulic lines and successful commissioning of total package was also executed during this lay-up period.

The project was complicated and time consuming as the repair teams had to handle the grounding damage repairs, while the bow thrusters’ modification job was also carried out simultaneously. The engine department team was headed by L.L.W.N. Kumara and the steel department team was headed by Avantha Gunathilleke. The project was managed by J G R Balasuriya – Assistant Business Manager (Ship Management).

The entire repair scope was completed successfully with multiple drydockings incorporating this emergency job into the ship yard’s master production program, with minimal disruptions. The complicated and precision work package was executed meeting the classification society requirements of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

The attending superintendent Salah Elsamman looked after the owner’s interests during this call, he was happy and impressed with the services provided in Colombo for this type of complicated job.

source - www.island.lk