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Holyhead's Newbuild Goes Out to Launch
01 Oct 2007
The launch of Holyhead Towing Company's recently delivered tug Afon Cadnant from the yard of Metaaldraaierij Sepers BV at Druemel in the Netherlands was complicated by the fact that there is no slipway at the facility.
A different approach to launching the vessel was required and Dordrecht based towage and transport specialist Van der Wees was called upon for assistance. Van der Wees supplied the submersible pontoon Lastdrager 27 to make the project viable.
Afon Cadnant was loaded onto the pontoon by means of ro-ro and hydraulically jacked down onto stillages on deck. In a harbour owned by Van der Wees the pontoon was submerged and the tug floated off. Van der Wees then provided a pusher tug which returned Afon Cadnant to Dreumel. Bridges caused concern with regard to airdraft but careful timing ensured safe passage below the lowest of the obstacles.
Lastdrager 27 is Van der Wees' most recent newbuilding. The two year old submersible pontoon is equipped with an internal ballast system and air compressors. Two differing methods of submersion can be used depending on local conditions. Certified for seagoing transport, Lastdrager 27 can be used throughout Europe and can be used to launch vessels weighing up to 650 tons.
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