In 2006 the Dutch dredge contractor Van Oord signed a contract with Arab Heavy Industries for the conversion of the multi-purpose offshore support vessel ’HAM 602’ into a side stone dumping vessel. The ’HAM 602’ was built in 1969 as ’Libra’, specially to install heavy concrete cubes for the Europoort [Hook of Holland] breakwaters. In 1982 the vessel was converted into a side stone dumping vessel, to take part in the construction of Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier. Finally in 1995, she was converted into a multi-purpose offshore support vessel and active in a wide variety of operations. For a special project, she started her second life as side stone dumping vessel.
Main particulars |
|
Length overall |
82.08 m |
Length between perpendiculars |
75.00 m |
Breadth moulded |
20.20 m |
Moulded depth |
6.30 m |
Draft |
4.80 m |
Conversion
In general, the conversion into side stone dumping vessel included the following:
- Removal of the existing raised work deck
- Construction of a new stone carrying deck
- Construction of separation walls
- Construction of dozer blades
- Construction of side doors
- Anti-heeling system
- Protection structure in way of Voith Schneider propulsion units