MacGregor do deck handling double
The MacGregor Group’ s Offshore division has received orders for four remotely controlled deck handling manipulator systems (DHMS) for the two Island Offshore AHTS vessels, Island Valiant and Island Vanguard.
The vessels were built in 2007 by Aker Yard’s Langsten facility and each feature two MacGregor Hydramarine cargo rail cranes, to which the new DHMS systems will be retrofitted in February 2009.
MacGregor Hydramarine’s facility at Kristiansand in Norway is currently producing a number of cargo rail cranes (CRVs) for various AHTS vessels and other production support craft. Øystein Bondevik, director of sales for MacGregor Hydramarine said, ‘We believe that the addition of various remote controlled technologies, such as the deck handling manipulator system, is an added benefit to the already powerful, accurate and reliable CRV crane.’
The MacGregor DHMS system allows for a crane’s standard winch functions to remain fully operational and it also provides a new gripper system capability. Consequently, no re-rigging is required for alternating between gripper and winch operations.
As the DHMS mechanism is remotely operated, it has the additional benefit of being fully controlled from the crane’s portable panel, so the necessity for heavy manual operations on the aft deck is substantially decreased.
‘The DHMS is designed to minimise exposure to the hazardous working environment on the aft deck. Mr Bondevik added. ‘By removing personnel from dangerous working areas, crane solutions such as these make a significant contribution to overall safety particularly for the crew during anchor handling operations at rigs and platforms while battling rough seas and harsh weather conditions.’
DHMS is available both as optional equipment for new cranes, and as an upgrade alternative for existing ones.
