Aces high for umbilical reeler

Designed and built by ACE Winches in Aberdeenshire UK for Helix Well Operations vessel Skandi Constructor, the reeler’s pneumatic motor will be powered by the ship’s air supply, and can be controlled either via the main or remote control set. It is equipped with a fail-safe braking system which will automatically engage if the desired line pull is lost. The reeler brake and drive system, which is set to slip at 90% of the safe working load of the umbilical, is designed to eliminate the possibility of damage to the line.

ACE Winches will spool the umbilical onto the reeler, which is fitted with an automatic mechanism to guide the umbilical into position, before delivery to Helix. At 80 tonnes the combined reeler and frame package is a sizeable weight, but thoughtful design means it is relatively easy to get to the ship’s side. At just under 5m high it can pass beneath bridges en route to the client, and at five metres wide only a limited notice period is required for transport on the local roads.