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Displaying items by tag: Spectacular Voyage

#VoyageVideo - Arklow Bay, the second of six 'B' class cargoships with 'green' design credentials built for Arklow Shipping's Dutch subsidiary, is captured on video as she makes a spectacular passage through the stunning Norwegian fjords, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The speeded-up video footage courtesy of Chief Officer Lopatin, was taken last July from the Arklow Bay's bridge overlooking most her 119.49m hull. In fact the footage is made from thousands of photos made every 5-10 seconds and then combined into the film that follows her navigation through this stretch of Norway's vast rugged and mountainous coastline.

Channels dotted with islands are crossed by suspension bridges, inland lighthouses are trapped in fjords before the 'Bay' has finally reached her place of destination deep in the Nordic interior.

According to Lopatin, the 'Bay' berthed in Eikefet, to the north-east of Bergen, from where she made an en-route bunkering call albeit not shown on the video. With the ship berthed alongside the plant's jetty, watch the crew at work and as the deck gantry machinery opens the cargo hatch covers.

A conveyor-belt then gets into action to discharge stones that involves an overnight operation as the commercial world of shipping waits does not wait for anyone. In doing so, note the ship is shifted along the quayside pontoon in order to complete the loading into the separate holds from the fixed position of the conveyor.

Cargo holds filled, the Arklow Bay's work is done and she edges away from Eikefet at the foot of the mountain's cliff-face lined above with Alpine trees. Next port bound is Emden, Germany.

As she swings off the berth, another cargoship awaits to dock at the facility. Having 'ship-spotted' for many years, I recognised the vessel to be from the Bergen-based Wilson Fleet Management, a competitor of ASL that trades in the waters of north-western Europe.

To maintain market demand and ASL's track record of a running a modern 45-strong fleet of dry-cargoships, the 8,860 total deadweight Arklow Bay along with the final sixth sister (under construction) was contracted to Ferus Smit's Dutch yard.

The sleek streamlined 'bulb-less' hulled vessels will provide efficient cargo capabilities while on passage in varying sea-states compared to previous tonnage all since sold.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Arklow Bay, gave us another video spectacular!.... her sideways launch in Westerbroek in the 'lowlands' country.

Only months later, she would be operating in completely different surroundings with the backdrop of Scandinavian jaw-dropping peaks.

So this begs the question having also called to Dublin Port last October, where is the 'Bay' now?

Published in Arklow Shipping

About Safehaven Marine 

Safehaven Marine are designers and builders of FRP Pilot boats, Patrol boats, Crew transfer vessels, Hydrographic survey catamarans, Naval & Military craft and unique custom private motor yachts. All our vessels are built to the highest standards of strength & engineering and are renowned worldwide for their exceptional sea-keeping abilities, we set a new World long-range speed record in 2017 with our own vessel and crew. Established in 1996 we have built over 138 vessels supplied to 27 countries worldwide with over 40 pilot vessels in operation globally, and have become leaders in our field.

Based in Youghal, Co Cork Ireland, Safehaven manufacture our vessels from two modern factories, with all design work carried out in house, and built with our own experienced team of engineers, carpenters, electricians, shipwrights and laminators.

Always at the forefront of new technology and designs we continuously develop our range and push the frontiers of design: In 2020 we aim to set a UIM Transatlantic World record with our unique (patent applied for) new 22m high-speed vessel XSV20

Interceptor 42 pilot boat

The Pilot 42 model built by Safehaven Marine has been delivered to ports worldwide and has proved to be a superb sea boat performing admirably in pilotage operations with all owners extolling its virtues of seakeeping, strength and stability.

L.O.A. (Length overall) 13.2m

L.W.L. (Length along waterline) 11.5m

Length moulded (GRP hull only) 12.7

Beam Moulded (GRP only ex fender) 4.0m

Beam overall (Including fenders) 4.4m

Draft (Depth of hull below waterline) 1.35m

Displacement Lightship 14,500kg

Fully loaded 16,000kg

Fuel capacity 1600 litres

Water capacity 110 litres

Crew capacity 5 persons

Engines Volvo D9 425hp

Gearboxes ZF325

Subdivision 4 x separate watertight compartments

Crew capacity 1-2 crew plus 3- 4 pilots

Classification PRS

Speed 23.5kts fully loaded