MV HROSSEY TO ENTER DRY DOCK

03 June 2003

The NorthLink vessel MV Hrossey is to be taken out of service for eight days so that defects discovered on some welds around the tailshaft area of the vessel can be repaired in dry dock.

The hairline fissures, which came to light during a routine inspection and which do not constitute a safety issue, have been temporarily repaired. Early indications are that the small cracks on some of the welds around the tailshaft are the result of fabrication issues during the build process.

It has been decided to implement permanent repairs sooner rather than later and the vessel will go to drydock on Monday, July 7, returning to service on Tuesday, July 15.

Following discovery of the defect on Hrossey, her sister ship MV Hjaltland was subjected to specific, precautionary examination. No repetition of the Hrossey fault was found but the situation will continue to be monitored closely.

MV Hamnavoe, the third new-build vessel in the NorthLink fleet, has also been subjected to inspection and has been given a clean bill of health.

The regulatory authorities – Marine and Coastguard Agency and Lloyds Classification Society – have been informed of the position and are content with the action being taken.

The Hrossey situation came to light when it emerged that small amounts of water were seeping through a portion of the tailshaft into a “heeling tank” used to store ballast water to aid manoeuvrability. The irregularity came to light during inspection when the “heeling tank” was empty of water.

NorthLink chief executive Bill Davidson said: “It is important to stress that there is not a significant safety issue here. However, we are keen that the repair be carried out as quickly as possible. We decided to take pre-emptive action now so that a minor problem did not become something more serious at a more difficult time.

“There is never a good time to take a vessel out of service but we chose to do so now, at the start of the busy summer season, rather than wait until the summer season was over.

“We are in discussion with our shipbuilder, Aker Finnyards, as to the possible cause of the defective welds but, at this stage, it appears that the problem originally emanates from the fabrication and manufacturing process in Finland.

“While Hrossey is in dry-dock we will make best use of the immobilisation period by making good some of the scuffs and scrapes which are part of the everyday working life of a busy commercial vessel. This will be done in parallel with the other work and will not extend the period in dry dock.

“Unfortunately, in spite of the alternative timetable arrangements which we have put in place, some customers will be inconvenienced. We shall be in touch with all passengers to make alternative booking arrangements,” he said.

Sailings which will be affected over the dry dock period are:

Northbound – Monday, July 7; Wednesday, July 9; Friday, July 11; and Sunday, July 13.

Southbound – Tuesday, July 8; Thursday, July 10; Saturday, July 12; and Monday, July 14.