Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK --C&M Group has contracted A&P Tyne to convert the Russian ice-breaker vessel Ice Maiden into an accommodation flotel.
A&P will undertake the work at its yard in Hebburn, northern England. Initial preparations for conversion of the 14,000 metric ton (15,432 ton) vessel took place in Alabama, but C&M decided to move the work to the UK to ensure delivery by end-2008.
The heavy-lift transportation vesselFairstar Fjord will bring the vessel to the yard on the river Tyne. Construction work will include fitting around 1,400 metric tons (1,543 tons) of steel for a new accommodation block for 399 people.
A further 1,900 metric tons (2,094 tons) of steel will be fabricated to form new decks and machinery spaces. Additionally, C&M will install eight new generating sets to power eight new thrusters, giving the vessel full DP-3 capability.
C&M claims this vessel will be the first of its type to achieve the full Ice Class designation. It will be capable of operating in temperatures down to -40º C.
04/18/2008
