JULY 31, 2013 — Gibraltar ship repairer Gibdock has added to its offshore vessel sector references by completing a drydocking contract from Technip.

Wellservicer, a multi-role diving support vessel with subsea lift capability, has undergone an intensive and relatively complex class renewal docking at the Gibraltar yard, and has been delivered back to Technip, ready for work.

"Gibdock's work is characterized by its diversity and continues to involve a full range of vessel types," says Gibdock Managing Director Richard Beards. "However, our location, quality of work and ability to redeliver on schedule is attracting a growing number of high-end offshore vessel owners. It is a matter of pride that we executed this project to the exacting standards set by Technip."

Gibdock staff undertook Technip's Integrated Safe System of Work (ISSoW) program, a course specific to the marine sector exemplifying the standards set for the owner's fleet. All manual workers engaged in the project passed level 1, with Gibdock management undertaking level 3.

"We were keen to work with Gibdock because we knew their record for carrying out quality work, safely," said Ricky McGowan, Capex Project Manager for Marine Operations at Technip. "Dealing with the shipyard was smooth, and they took a proactive approach to safety and embracing our ISSoW. Overall we were very happy with how the dry dock went."

"Technip has very demanding safety standards," said Gibdock Operations Director John Taylor. "As our offshore workload continues to grow, we are consistently demonstrating that our own safety regime is robust enough to meet the distinctive requirements set for this specialized market."

"Gibdock staff will remain ISSoW-certified for two years," said Mr Taylor. "We are well prepared to offer our services for consideration by Technip in the near future."

The 111.4 m long, 9,158 gt DP-class 3 Wellservicer arrived at Gibdock on May 6 and was successfully undocked June 17. After several days of afloat repairs, and sea trials, she returned to the shipyard for mobilization work, before leaving for her next assignment in Canada.

The main scope of work included an extensive overhaul of the ship's three tunnel thrusters and three azimuthing thrusters, which were removed to the yard's workshops, disassembled and put through a rigorous maintenance program before rebuilding. Gibdock engineers worked in close collaboration with Technip's supplier, Rolls Royce.

Other work included removal of the two small deck cranes and their replacement with two new 5 t units. This required deck plate modification, including work to under deck stiffeners.

"There was a large amount of pipe modification and considerable steel work," said Jonathan Pocock, Gibdock Ship Repair Manager. "We have carried out a number of deck crane replacements recently; this was different but we were able to draw on our past experience."

Other tasks included an upgrade to the fire line system, which involved fitting new pipework, and the erection of a significant amount of scaffolding. This was required in order to safely gain access to the helideck, and to carry out necessary works to the under deck supports.