Multi-purpose offshore support vessel conversion

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.

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

Vuyk scope of work:

Arrangement drawings of:

• General Arrangement
• Shovels Arrangement
• Container hydraulic power pack
• Tank Arrangement

Construction drawings of:

• Midship
• Separation walls
• Shovels
• Side doors
• Foundation anti-heeling pumps
• Platforms & railings
• Hatches    

Piping diagrams of:

• Anti-heeling system
• De-aeration system
• Piping on Main Deck 

At last, Vuyk performed the inclining test at site after the conversion and prepared the preliminary stability booklet.