Damen group subsidiaries have completed a challenging repair project to replace one of the twin rudder stocks on P&O Ferries’ cross channel ferry Pride of Canterbury – the 180-m, 30,635-gt ropax vessel that operates on the busy Dover-Calais crossing
The 29-year-old vessel is equipped with twin Van der Velden BARKE rudder systems engineered and made by Damen Marine Components (DMC). Replacing the stock on the starboard rudder is intended to extend the ferry’s service life.
Damen Verolme Rotterdam (DVR) hosted the vessel while DMC co-ordinated the project and managed service engineers from DVR and Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (DSR). Work began with the removal of the rudder and its stock taking placing in DVR’s no. 5 drydock.
The rudder and its worn stock was transported to DSR where it was disassembled and the parts cleaned. DMC designed and supplied the new rudder stock to DSR ahead of installation.
During the fitting process, the old rudder stock was used for a trial fit. With the new rudder stock fitted to the correct values, the blade was hung vertically and the new stock inserted. The two parts were then transported to DVR and mounted in the vessel. Finally, the rudder and steering gear were prepared for operations and a swing-test was performed to confirm operability.
DMC area manager service sales Walter Treffers said “We completed the entire project on time and without any delays by bringing together skills and resources from across the Damen Group. For the shipowner it was crucial to have the ship out of the dock on schedule, and this was achieved thanks to the excellent co-operation and daily meetings between the yard, DMC, DVR and DSR. We wish the Pride of Canterbury safe journeys.”
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