PR: Stena Superfast VIII keeps Irish Sea refits on schedule.
By: Steven Tarbox
Date:
Last updated:
Stena Superfast VIII in H&W's Belfast Dry Dock dry-dock. Stena Line 2016
Stena Superfast VIII keeps Irish Sea refits on schedule.
This week it’s the turn of Stena Superfast VIII to visit dry dock at Harland & Wolff in Belfast and so far the programme is well on schedule which should see the vessel return to her duties on Monday 15th Feb, Superfast V11 will then head to Dry Dock for a short visit and Superfast X will continue to run on the Belfast – Cairnryan route.
During the refit all the relevant statutory surveys will be carried out commensurate with the vessel’s 15 years of service. The dry dock time is also being utilised to complete maintenance and checks on all areas that remain underwater during normal service such as rudders, stabilisers, bow and stern thrusters. A full paint system will be applied to both the underwater area as well as the upper outer accommodation areas before which all areas will be fully prepped to a high standard to ensure that the paint remains in good condition until the next scheduled refit period.
Paul Grant, Route Manager (Irish Sea North) said: “We are delighted with the way our refit programme has progressed this year. Given the volume and complexity of the work that’s required across our fleet it’s a great testimony to the skills and experience of our shore and on board teams that we are sitting pretty much bang on schedule at present, despite the most challenging of weather conditions which have visited us recently. Great credit goes to all those involved in the planning and delivery of our refit project.”
One of the more complex duties to be completed during the refit is the removal of the deck pillars on the upper car deck. This is quite an intricate and extensive project which requires considerable planning and naval architecture skills to spread the load while ensuring the rigidity and strength of the vessel remains, despite the removal of the pillars. On the OBS side of things, there are a number of modifications taking place including a refurbishment of the Spa, the provision of outside seating on Deck 10, 60” TVs installed in the Met Bar and a range of passenger lift upgrades.
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