At the double for Dales Marine
‘Vos Patrol’ and ‘Vos Lismore’ (at the gate end) in the Leith dry dock
Ship repairer Dales Marine Services started the year at the double, with simultaneous dockings at both its Aberdeen and Leith facilities, on Scotland’s east coast.
In the first double docking at Leith’s Imperial Dock since Dales began operations there in March 2010, Sealion’s Toisa Independent and Vroon Offshore’s Vos Supporter were in at the same time earlier this year. The Toisa vessel for UHP hull blasting and main propulsion overhauls, while Vroon’s vessel underwent a special survey, including engine overhaul.
Vos Server and Vos Guardian have also been into Leith in another double docking. Server for a special survey, steel work repairs, new propellers and work on the tailshafts while the Guardian underwent an intermediate docking.
Sartor Offshore’s Ocean Ness and Shetland Island Council’s ferry, Linga, docked simultaneously in Aberdeen during March, both for 11 days. Ocean Ness for an intermediate docking and engine and propulsion work, Linga for painting.
The dockings at Aberdeen in the first quarter included ferries, and offshore vessels including the supply vessel Mana, owned by Garware Offshore in India, using the facility for the first time. Leith dockings in the same period included offshore service vessels and the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry Clansman.
Morerecent users of the Leith dry dock include Shetlands Islands Council’s ferry Daggri in for nine days for wash-and-paint and small repair to a main propulsion unit, and, in another double docking, the Vos Patrol and Vos Lismore for special survey, with both vessels undergoing major engine, steelwork and propulsion work for 21 days.
At Aberdeen, recent activity has also included offshore vessels Vos Victory, which entered for an intermediate docking, and Vos Ocean, to have a propeller changed. Fletcher Shipping’s FS Aquarius was in for 13 days special survey, including tailshafts, thrusters, main engines, windlass and full UHP blast to the topsides. In mid-May, Shetland Islands Council’s tug, Tystie, docked for seven days.
Dales director and general manager, Michael Milne, said: “The double dockings demonstrate the versatility and capacity of our facilities and contribute to a busy start to what looks like being another very active year. With healthy bookings for both Aberdeen and Leith, there is also an extensive workload at the tender stage.”
Dales Marine also undertakes projects alongside quays at Aberdeen, Leith and other ports, including Montrose where it has a workshop to support projects.
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