DAMEN SHIPYARDS have been awarded the contract to build a new Aids to Navigation Service Vessel for Irish Lights. The contract was signed on 11 March 1998 in Irish Lights Office.
Damen Shipyards are a well established Dutch ship-building firm with headquarters in Gorinchem, the Netherlands. They mainly build coasters, tug boats, and specialised small craft. They have recently built for the Dutch Government an 83 metre, 2,000 tonne multipurpose oil pollution recovery vessel which can also function as a buoy tender.
Hart Fenton, the Naval Architects who designed our vessel, were also appointed by the Commissioners to supervise the building, and they are responsible for overseeing construction drawings and sub-contractor approval.
The hull and superstructure are being built in a closed shed at Galatz Shipyard, Romania. The keel was laid at Galatz on 27 June with Capt. J. J. Hickey, Inspector and Marine Superin-tendent, and John Pawsey of Hart Fenton in attendance.
The ship is being built within a covered shed in four sections: three hull sections and the super-structure. When a section is completed it will be transported to the slipway for joining to the next section. When the hull sections are completed the superstructure will be fitted and welded to the hull. Upon completion the ship will be launched sideways into the Danube. It is anticipated that launching will take place in June 1999.
From Galatz she will be towed to Friasland Shipyard at Harlingen in the Netherlands, for fitting out. Fitting out and alongside trials will continue until mid-November 1999, when she will steam to Rotterdam to commence rigorous sea trials which are expected to continue for four weeks. On the successful completion of trials she is scheduled to be delivered to the Commissioners of Irish Lights on 17th December 1999.
We have received excellent co-operation from our colleagues in both Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board who have given advice where necessary. I would also like to thank my own colleagues--ilt Granuaile personnel, Lighthouse Depot and Head Office staff--for their support since the commencement of the building project. I am confident that with their co-operation, Hart Fenton's supervision, and our own in-house experience we will move forward into 2000 with a radical, state-of-the-art, multifunctional Aids to Navigation vessel that will be a template for others to follow in our steps.