Company cats pounce for rapid repair

The team was mobilised by Hydrex from its headquarters in Antwerp in the company’s own customised workboats after preparations were completed and all required equipment loaded on board. The Hydrex catamarans are fully equipped as dive support stations with hydraulic cranes, winches, nautical and communications equipment and a dive control room. The vessels can be used for a wide range of rapid deployement operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK and France.

Following arrival in Rotterdam, the divers installed flexible mobdocks on both sides of the thrusters tunnel then emptied the tunnel of water to create a dry working area around the bow thrusters unit. The team could then detach the bow thrusters blades one by one.

The blades were replaced by a blind flange to prevent oil leaking from the thrusters and water from entering. Next the diver/technicians removed the flexible mobdocks again, concluding the first part of the operation.

The next step was to secure the gearbox with hoisting equipment. The team then disconnected the bow thrusters unit from the engine room and lowered it onto a cradle which was specially designed for thrusters operations. It can be adjusted to the size of the unit. This prevents the thrusters from tipping over and allows divers to remove it in one manoeuvre.

The bow thrusters was then then brought on board the Hydrex workboat, ready to be overhauled. The team securely sealed the engine room by positioning a flange over the space connecting the thrusters tunnel to the room. This allows the vessel to sail until the overhauled unit is reinstalled.

With the bow thrusters unit on deck the team sailed back to Antwerp, from where the unit was transported to the manufacturer for overhaul.