Ships Line Up at U.K. Repair Yard
Four ships have docked recently at A&P Falmouth's shipyard in SW England for repairs and refitting work. RFA Mounts Bay, Serco tugs Eileen & Foreceful and the River Class patrol vessel, HMS Severn were the most recent arrivals. Also alongside under repair at Falmouth is RFA Lyme Bay, which has undergone alternator repairs and will complete in time to sail to join the major Operation Joint Warrior. The RFA Argus, which is base-berthed in Falmouth, is currently undergoing a refit period and is progressing on schedule.
Bourbon Dolphin Inquiry Underway
According to Rigzone, an inquiry into the cause of the Norwegian anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) Bourbon Dolphin capsizing started Wednesday. The vessel capsized on April 12 during an anchor handling operation with the Highland Valour. Anchor handling is known to be hazardous to the deck crew, but capsizing is rare. According to reports, the Bourbon Dolphin had recovered an anchor from the seafloor and was about to drop it to a new location when it overturned. The anchor was still attached to the oil rig. According to reports, Syversen, the sole survivor on the bridge during the accident, added some insight into the incident. He said the Highland Valour attempted five times to move an anchor.
Investigation on the loss of Bourbon Dolphin
A maritime inquiry into the loss of the Norwegian supply vessel Bourbon Dolphin, which capsized and sank off Shetland with the loss of eight lives, is due to open at a Norwegian court. Smit International has issued a statement about the sinking of the Bourbon Dolphin, which capsized on April 12th whilst performing offshore services for the drill platform Transocean Rather. Subsequently, SMIT Salvage was contracted by Bourbon Offshore Norway AS, to render salvage services to Bourbon Dolphin. The mobilization of the necessary salvage personnel, craft and equipment started immediately. A salvage team of seven members was flown to the Shetland Islands and the anchor handling tug Zeus, equipped with a diving spread and salvage equipment departed to the casualty from Den Helder, the Netherlands.
