Download PDF version

A nine-day project to replace bow visor hinge pins and bearings for CalMac Ferries’ MV Isle of Mull has been completed by Cammell Laird.

Delivered as part of the vessel’s annual survey, the project involved a multi-disciplinary approach from Cammell Laird’s planning, technical and lifting teams in order to remove the vessel’s 33-tonne bow visor and replace its hinge pins and bearings. The programme involved a series of heavy lifts using 200-tonne jacks and a 350-tonne mobile crane to transfer the bow visor to rigging on the bottom of Cammell Laird’s number 6 dry dock.

Minimise vessel downtime

Paul Owen, Managing Director at Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Limited said: “Removal of bow visors is not a commonplace activity but it was necessary on this project to facilitate the removal and replacement of the Isle of Mull’s main hinge pins and bearings."

Thanks to the input of our planning and technical teams, we had a very precise programme before the Isle of Mull arrived in dock, which helped to minimise vessel downtime, deliver efficiencies and expedite the project quickly.”

Series of inspections and water tests

Cammell Laird reinstalled the bow visor and carried out a series of reviews and water tests to secure that seal integrity

Following the replacement of the bow visor’s main hinge pins and bearings, Cammell Laird reinstalled the bow visor and carried out a series of inspections and water tests to ensure that seal integrity had not been compromised.

The MV Isle of Mull ferry, which has a capacity for 70 vehicles and 962 passengers, provides a regular service between Oban and the Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland.

Cammell Laird’s knowledge of vessels 

Graham Henderson, Head of Technical Operations – Asset Management, for CalMac Ferries, said: “Our ferries provide a vital link for those on Scotland’s west coast so it’s imperative they operate to the highest and safest standards. Cammell Laird’s knowledge of our vessels, combined with their planning expertise, adds real value to CalMac as it delivers certainty to the budget and when our vessels can return to service."

Work on the MV Isle of Mull was delivered efficiently, professionally and with Cammell Laird’s trademark commitment to quality and precision engineering.”

CalMac’s five largest vessels

Cammell Laird has recently secured a new four-year contract for the annual maintenance and dry docking of CalMac’s five largest vessels - MV Clansman, MV Loch Seaforth, MV Lord of The Isles, MV Finlaggan and MV Hebrides – which provide an essential service between the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Scottish Mainland. 

All five ferries will dock annually at Cammell Laird, with the first vessels arriving in early 2021.

Download PDF version Download PDF version

In case you missed it

Strategies to achieve FuelEU Maritime compliance
Strategies to achieve FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Maritime came into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. It is part of the European Union’s Fit for 55 package and applies to commercial vessels of 5000GT (gross tonnage) and over u...

VIKING sea trials prove LifeCraft™ resilience
VIKING sea trials prove LifeCraft™ resilience

Sea trials are performed in northern waters – typically at depths of 200-300 metres off the coasts of Norway, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, and...

ClassNK ZETA enhances FuelEU Maritime Tools
ClassNK ZETA enhances FuelEU Maritime Tools

ClassNK has released new features related to FuelEU Maritime and EU-ETS for its GHG emissions management tool, ‘ClassNK ZETA’. Additionally, with the integration with N...

vfd