Electrical installation company Bakker Sliedrecht has played an important part in the conversion of Boskalis’ heavy transport vessel (HTV) Finesse into transport and installation crane vessel (HLV) Bokalift 1.
After the official launch, Boskalis will deploy the vessel for construction of offshore wind farms, the installation and decommissioning of oil and gas platforms and salvage projects.
Double Load
Due to its huge empty deck space of 165 by 43 m and its mid-ship, 3000 t revolving Huisman Crane, the Bokalift 1 can double the usual load of existing crane and transport vessels. The vessel is also equipped with a dynamic positioning 2-system (DP2) to remain stable at its position at all times.
Supervision and Coordination
During the conversion, Bakker Sliedrecht was responsible for the supervision and coordination between the client and all participating electro technical parties. Both during the conversion at the Keppel shipyard in Singapore, the installation of the crane by Huisman in China and during a large number of tests as part of the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) off the coast of Cape Town.
Guaranteeing Safe Operations at All Times
The large ballasting tanks, which made the heavy transport vessel semi-submersible, were converted to give way to the requirements of diesel generators and switchboards. These were necessary for the new thrusters, which keep the ship in position. Because of the DP2 system, Bakker Sliedrecht had to doubly install all electrical installations and drive systems – existing and new – in order to guarantee safe operations of the systems at all times, including in case of a thruster or generator failure or other calamities.
Electrical Installations Produced in Europe
Bakker Sliedrecht coordinated all installations and the commissioning. All electrical installations, switchboards, engines and generators were produced in Sliedrecht or elsewhere in Europe and then transported to the yard in Singapore.
The conversion was completed in 12 months.
Picture by Boskalis.
