Damen Shipyards Den Helder has completed the maintenance and modernisation of a Netherlands-based ship.
The HNLMS Snellius has been returned to the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) following her midlife upgrade and multi-annual maintenance.
“The hydrographic survey vessel required a complex and diverse scope of work taking almost a year to complete. The vessel was delivered ahead of the agreed date,” said Damen.
Major works
Many of the platforms and Sewaco systems were replaced or overhauled during the project. A number of works were also carried out to prepare the fifteen-year-old vessel for the second half of her lifecycle.
The Defense Materiel Organisation of the Dutch Ministry of Defence) and the Directorate for Materiel Conservation commissioned the yard in Den Helder to carry out the mid-life update and multi-annual maintenance simultaneously. Part of the project was carried out in the covered dock of Damen Shiprepair in Harlingen.
The assignment was carried out in close collaboration with numerous partners from the Dutch maritime industry, such as Nevesbu, Wartsila, Braspenning, Eekels, RH Marine, Bakker Sliedrecht and Kongsberg.
Following the completion of the work, the vessel underwent an extensive test period and is now ready to once again perform hydrographic work for the RNLS.
Repeat performance
Previously, HNLMS Snellius’ sister ship, HNLMS Luymes, underwent virtually the same maintenance and modernisation programme at the yard and is now also operating successfully again.
Built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS), HNLMS Luymes and HNLMS Snellius came into use in 2003 and early 2004. The hydrographic survey vessels are being used by the Dutch Hydrographic Service to map the seabed, particularly in the North Sea and parts of the Caribbean.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
