Video: Ferry accommodation block is suspended in mid-
The top half of the new Stornoway ferry has been installed.
Decks 5,6 and 7 for the MV Loch Seaforth were manufactured as a single module at a shipyard in Gdansk and shipped to Germany where the main hull was built.
A heavy lift floating crane hoisted the massive steel module - incorporating the
passenger accommodation block, bridge and main mast - off a barge berthed on the
River Flensburger by the shipyard.
The delicate operation resulted in carefully centring and positioning the module into the precise place on the ship’s main deck.
The superstructure block is being welded and secured into place.
The MV Loch Seaforth was launched two weeks ago and she is being fitted out to be in service between Stornoway and Ullapool by late summer 2014.
The ship has two engines but any one of her three generators - used for making electricity
for onboard use - could be hooked up as back-up.
A generator can drive a propulsion unit and separate input into the gearboxes.
This bypass system satisfies strict UK maritime safety rules and may also be used to stop an engine for regular maintenance at sea or even to allow for cleaning or painting.
However, only one propulsion unit can be run at any time so at least one main engine has to be running normally.
The ship should be able to reach about 15 knots with just one main engine.
Firing up one of the propulsion units can add at least another four knots, taking her to full speed.
The new 116 metre Roll On Roll Off vehicle passenger ferry will be capable of operating 24 hours a day and will have a capacity for up to 700 passengers, and 143 cars or 20 commercial vehicles.
The new boat should go 10% faster than the MV Isle of Lewis.
The ferry will be owned by the Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) which will lease it to Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). In turn, CMAL will charter her to the operator of the route.
CMAL is the Scottish Government company which owns the ships providing ferry services to the Western Isles. Under European rules the vessels are charted to a the best operator which successfully bids to run the service.
Video: Ferry accommodation block is suspended in mid-
Ferry takes shape as passenger decks installed 5/4/14
