The client is Moroccan dredging contractor DRAPOR, which during the build period sent three teams of personnel to Holland to attend a training programme organised by IHC's Training Institute for Dredging.

The course paid special attention to the operation and maintenance of the mechanical, hydraulic and electrical equipment of the pontoon and crane.

The four rope type crane is available with a choice of equipment, including a 5m 3grab for light material, a 3.5m 3grab with teeth for heavier material, a 3m 3orange peel excavator for stones and rocks, a hoisting block for two part hoisting of weights up to 70 tonnes, and two rock breaking ramps with weights of 6 tonnes and 11 tonnes.

The crane has three standard winches for hoisting, closing and luffing. For rock breaking there is an additional 'controlled free fall' winch. In rock breaking and grab dredging mode only the standard counterweight of the crane is used. For hoisting loads up to 35 tones, an additional counterweight can be placed onto the crane by its own means while for loads in the range of 35 to 70 tonnes, the total counterweight is pushed out hydraulically over 1m.

The pontoon is powered by twin diesel engines, each driving a thruster for manoeuvring and mobilising at speeds to 6 knots.

Four anchors, each with chain cables and windlass can cope with open sea conditions of Beaufort 4 and waves to 1.5m with a 700m 3hopper barge alongside.

The versatile 235 tonne pontoon has accommodation for nine crew, a beam of 16.2m, a draught of 1.8m, and is capable of dredging to a depth of 25m.

MJ Information No: 19543