Large lift for a fast ferry

The

Prinsen

fast ferry, which has been running between Nesodden and central Oslo for the last 14 years, was transferred onto the

Beluga Foundation to be transported to its new home in Abu Dhabi.

The

unusual assignment was undertaken by Wilhelmsen Ships Service’s project logistics team.

Several days were spent together with Beluga’s cargo superintendent in planning the operations before the ferry could be moved. Wilhelmsen Ships Service contacted teams of carpenters, welders, stevedores and divers to prepare the ground for the actual loading. After checking the original drawings from the builders, Fjellstrand AS, the best positions for locating the slings under the boat were chosen.

The

divers examined the underneath of the ferry on the day before the lift to ensure that all corresponded to the drawings.

‘On the day, everything went very well, said Leif T. Kongshaug, the Wilhelmsen Ships Service project manager responsible for liaising with the Beluga cargo officer. ‘

The

divers were able to place the slings at the strongest points, and the ship used its own cranes to position the ferry on board.

The

boat fitted perfectly onto the wooden cradle on the deck, a credit to the skills of the team of specialist carpenters who constructed it. We were pleased to find that there were strong lashing points along the gunwale, although these did not appear on the Prinsen’s original plans.’

The

Prinsen ferry was formerly operated by the Nesodden-Bundefjord Dampskipsselskap AS. It will be used in Abu Dhabi as a personnel supply vessel operating between oil rigs in the Arabian Gulf.