Fendercare Marine provide first ship to ship transfer operation off Ireland.
Norfolk based Fendercare Marine completed the first ship to ship (STS) transfer off the coast of Belfast last week. The operation was unusually requested by the owners of Genmar Companion following a discovery of a crack in the deck of the vessel en route from Rotterdam to New York.
The Genmar Companion had sheltered off Copeland Islands since 16 December having been refused entry into Cork to conduct the repairs necessary to the deck. The vessel was carrying 54000 tonnes of vacuum gas oil that needed to be transferred to another vessel prior to entering Belfast Harbour and the owners therefore contracted specialist STS operators Fendercare Marine.
“This was a standard operation for us” commented Keith Loffstadt, Vice Chairman, Fendercare Marine, “we had planned to start the transfer on 1 January but the operation was delayed due to the bad weather & high winds in the region. On 6th January, the weather improved enough to ensure a safe transfer of cargo & allowed the operation to take place within our environmental parameters”.
Fendercare Marine used one of their most experienced Mooring Masters, George Mills who has been a marine pilot for over 25 years. “The vessels used in this operation were of a similar size which is an unusual situation,” commented George Mills, “but we only complete transfers within strict limits to ensure we maintain our exceptionally high health & safety record. With the cargo safely transferred the Genmar Companion will be able to effect necessary repairs by docking in Belfast”
Fendercare Marine is one of the worlds most experienced STS operators & complete such operations worldwide on a daily basis. Based in Seething, Norfolk, last year alone they managed 3500 transfers from their 30 global bases for a variety of clients including oil majors and independent oil traders.