Alewijnse Marine is nearing completion on a comprehensive electrical refit of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Support Vessel HNLMS Pelikaan. The works are part of the ship’s mid-life upgrade programme.
HNLMS Pelikaan normally operates exclusively in the Caribbean region where it provides support to maritime security operations and, in times of disaster, humanitarian relief. Alewijnse was awarded the contract by Damen Shipyards Den Helder in August last year and work started in January. The work is being carried out in Den Helder and at Damen Shiprepair Harlingen.
Alewijnse’s scope of work includes total service provision for the electrical work, covering engineering, supply and installation of equipment, project coordination and commissioning of all on board electrical systems. This includes the installation of new telephone, radar, CCTV and alarm and monitoring systems (AMS).
The company was also responsible for the original electrical installation when the vessel was built at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania in 2005. Besides this, the company has successfully undertaken numerous similar contracts for Damen on defence & security-related vessels over the years. The vessel is to be back in the Caribbean in time for the Hurricane season, which starts on 1 June.
Coronavirus
The project has faced additional challenges as a result of the coronavirus crisis. ‘The safety of our personnel and of all those working on location is our top priority during this project,’ explains Alewijnse’s contract manager Perry Eikelenboom. ‘Maintaining safe distances while working and minimising the number of people on location at any one time placed pressure on the schedule, but were essential. Thankfully, we enjoy a close cooperation with the yard and, working together and following their robust safety measures, we managed to be both efficient and safe.’
