C H Horn gets a new lease of life

Inspection and tests carried out on the hull proved the ship is in excellent condition for its age. Therefore the decision was made by Poole Harbour Commissioners to carry out a full modification of the ship to prolong its working life by further 25 years.

Southampton Marine Services Ltd was awarded the contract to carry out the project. The new accommodation housing, which included mess area, galley facilities, toilet and new wheelhouse, was designed and build by SMS Ltd at its Ocean Quay facility.

The new propulsion package was delivered by Kort Propulsion and consisted of a Doosan 200HP radiator cooled engine driving a Sykes Hydomaster propulsion leg, connected to the engine via a ZF gearbox and mounted on the after deck.

Two spud legs were fitted and operated independently by hydraulic winches mounted on the main deck. Operating rams for the bottom dump doors were repositioned across the aft end of the hold. A new hydraulic system was fitted which allowed for all the operation of the spud legs and dump doors to be controlled from the wheelhouse, making the overall operation of the ship simple and efficient.

The works were completed on time, and the vessel was re-delivered to Poole, achieving a service speed of 7.2 knots on the delivery passage.