Ro-ro refit on time at Hebburn
A& P Tyne Ltd has completed the annual refit onboard the ro-ro cargo ferry ‘ Norcape’ for P& O Ferries. Over 100 personnel were working on the the 14,087gt vessel at peak times and all contract work completed on day 42, in line with the original schedule.
The 150m vessel departed the Hebburn yard on 23 May, returning to service between Tilbury and Zeebrugge.A significant part of the project involved using SPS Overlay to reinstate 2,300 sq/m of the upper, lower and tank top decks after the removal of 1,825 sq/m of existing doubler plates using arc air gouging. SPS Overlay used the existing steelwork to form the underside of a composite. After being blasted and cleaned, perimeter bars and new plates were welded in place to create cavities, which were then injected with a fast setting elastomer.
The result is stronger decks with enhanced resistance to corrosion, fatigue, fire, impact and vibration. Work also included steel insert renewals on various areas of the upper deck with a total of approximately 170 sq/m.
The project also involved the renewal of the crankshaft of the Mitsui 12V42M starboard main engine. This was a unique experience for A&P to work with two of only four existing Mitsui 12V42M engines in the world.
The engine was dismantled and reassembled under the supervision of the main engine manufacturer’s representative. However, special care and attention was required when removing the cylinder heads, pistons and liners. It was necessary to remove the exhaust manifold assembly, including turbochargers and coolers to allow sufficient height clearance for lifting the engine to allow the crankshaft to be removed.
Various lifting aids were welded to the engine room deck head to enable the engine to be lifted. Lifting aids also assisted in the removal of the crankshaft, which was released and lowered into position away from the engine and then ashore. Specialist equipment was used to laser align and check the engine entablature after removal, and whilst installing the new crankshaft. All running gear components were overhauled prior to re-assembly and the engine was re-chocked using Chock- fast orange resin. Laser alignment techniques were involved in re-aligning the engine to the gearbox.
During the drydocking period, substantial overhauls and Lloyd’s Register (LR) surveys were carried out to the tailshaft, rudder, fore and aft bowthrusters as well as port and starboard stabilisers. The port and starboard anchor chains were also renewed in accordance with LR requirements.
