DCV ''Balder'' is a deepwater construction vessel (DCV) operated by Heerema Marine Contractors.

History

The ''Balder'' was constructed in 1978 as

semi-submersible Semi-submersible may refer to a self-propelled vessel, such as: * Heavy-lift ship, which partially submerge to allow their cargo (another ship) to float into place for transport *Narco-submarine, some of which remained partially on the surface * ...

crane vessel A crane vessel, crane ship or floating crane is a ship with a crane specialized in lifting heavy loads. The largest crane vessels are used for offshore construction. Conventional monohulls are used, but the largest crane vessels are often catam ...

by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. ''Balder'' and sister vessel, ''Hermod'' were the world's first semi-submersible crane vessels. In the early 1980s these vessels set several lift records while operating in the North Sea. Conversion to a DCV was carried out in 2001 by Verolme Botlek BV in the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

Design

The hull consists of two floaters with three columns each. The transit draught of 12 meters is normally ballasted down to 25 meters for lifting operations, with the floaters (with a draught of 12 meters) are well-submerged, reducing the effect of waves and swell. It is powered by seven 3,500 kW

azimuth thruster An azimuth thruster is a configuration of marine propellers placed in pods that can be rotated to any horizontal angle (azimuth), making a rudder unnecessary. These give ships better maneuverability than a fixed propeller and rudder system. Ty ...

s and two

propellers A propeller (colloquially often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon ...

. There is accommodation for 350 persons. Lightship weight is 49,631 tonnes. In the 2001 conversion, it was fitted with seven thrusters and a J-lay system. The 98 m J-Lay tower, designed and constructed by Huisman Itrec, is capable of laying pipe in water depths to . ''Balder'' was also equipped with class III

dynamic positioning Dynamic positioning (DP) is a computer-controlled system to automatically maintain a vessel's position and heading by using its own propellers and thrusters. Position reference sensors, combined with wind sensors, motion sensors and gyrocompass ...

system and a mooring line deployment

winch A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in (wind up) or let out (wind out) or otherwise adjust the tension of a rope or wire rope (also called "cable" or "wire cable"). In its simplest form, it consists of a spool (or drum) attach ...

. The winch is the largest in the world, with a diameter of 10.5 meters and a safe working load (SWL) of 275 t.

Cranes

The ''Balder'' has two cranes (3600 t, 2700 t). Originally the starboard-side crane was rated at 3000

short ton The short ton (symbol tn) is a measurement unit equal to . It is commonly used in the United States, where it is known simply as a ton, although the term is ambiguous, the single word being variously used for short, long, and metric ton. The var ...

and the port-side at 2000 short ton. In 1984, the lifting capacities were upgraded to 4000 and 3000 short tons respectively in a fixed mode (and 3300 & 2200 in revolving mode). To accommodate the J-Lay tower, the port crane jib was converted to a fly jib in 2001.

Remarkable projects

* In 1978 Occidental’s

Piper Alpha Piper Alpha was an oil platform located in the North Sea approximately north-east of Aberdeen, Scotland. It was operated by Occidental Petroleum (Caledonia) Limited (OPCAL) and began production in 1976, initially as an oil-only platform but la ...

was the first platform installation with a Semi Submersible Crane Vessel. It was a British platform that blew out and burned to the water, killing 167 of its crew. * In 2005 the world's largest

semi-submersible platform A semi-submersible platform is a specialised marine vessel used in offshore roles including as offshore drilling rigs, safety vessels, oil production platforms, and heavy lift cranes. They have good ship stability and seakeeping, better than ...

, BP's '' Thunder Horse,'' was installed. Later in the year, ''Balder'' assisted in righting ''Thunder Horse,'' found listing dramatically after

Hurricane Dennis Hurricane Dennis was an early-forming major hurricane in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Dennis was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season. F ...

. * In 2006 it installed BP’s Mardi Gras Atlantis gas export pipeline (0.6 m / 24 in diameter) in a record breaking water depth of 2220 meters (7217 feet). * in 2007 it moored the Independence Hub Facility in a record breaking water depth of 2438 m (8000 ft), with a world record for the deepest flow line installation of 2743 m (9000 ft).

References

External links

Heerema Marine Contractors' site

Actual position, status, weather and other updates from SSCV Balder
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balder, Dcv Ships built by Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Ships of the Netherlands Pipe-laying ships Crane vessels Semi-submersibles 1978 ships