EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE A TEAM EFFORT

Regular planned maintenance is key to providing an efficient and effective vessel management service to clients and earlier this year the Antarctic Supply Vessel ‘S.A. Agulhas ll’, which is managed by AMSOL on behalf of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, underwent her planned 5-year renewal statutory dry-docking.

The South African government’s modern Antarctic Supply Vessel, built in Norway and delivered in 2012, entered the Sturrock Drydock in the Port of Cape Town at the end of October, ahead of the annual South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) Voyage.

Key to a successful drydock is collaboration between all parties and effective project planning to ensure co-ordination of multiple activities and cost management. Maintenance work included blasting and painting of the hull, overhauling of all the ship side valves, replacement of the stern seals as well as the inboard, outboard and propeller blade seals.  The bow and stern thrusters were also removed under the supervision of the Manufacturer’s representative.

With the project completed safely and efficiently, the vessel continued preparations for her next voyage and departed Cape Town in early December.