TTS to Supply Specialized Crane to Tender

A 2,600-grt multi-purpose Lights Tender on order in Holland for operation in the Middle East is to feature a sophisticated buoy-handling crane designed and manufactured by Norway's TTS Marine ASA. The vessel has been ordered by Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) from the Damen Shipyards Group in Holland, with the 82.6 m long hull being sub-contracted to Damen's Galatz Shipyard in Romania, with final outfitting taking place at Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, Holland. Hull No. 554001 at Damen Shipyards is designed for a wide variety of operations, including buoy-handling and laying, oil pollution recovery and hydrographic survey work and brings a new level of sophistication to these types of operation in the Arabian Gulf, having a diesel-electric propulsion system, as well as a dedicated Dynamic Positioning system. The TTS crane being supplied to this vessel is of the electro-hydraulic type, with an SWL of 25 tons at 20 m, located on the starboard side. The crane, Type GPCO 1250-2520, is specifically designed to handle a wide variety of navigation buoys and features a two hook/winch operation. Each hook/winch can be operated independently or synchronised in buoy-handling operations, and a constant tensioning system is installed to ease the hook-on operation. The crane also features level-luffing, which will be invaluable for buoy positioning work on the aft deck of the vessel. The TTS crane is dimensioned to handle a wide variety of buoy sizes and the owner has an option on the supply of a 20ft container spreader to further enhance the flexibility of crane operations. The U.K.'s Three Quays Marine Services are Owners Consultants for this project. When delivered in May 2004, the Lights Tender will operate for MENAS in the Arabian Gulf, from Kuwait in the north, all the way down to Oman. The Dutch newbuilding will replace MENAS' 25 year old, UK-built Lights Tender Relume.