Integrated 400t active heave compensated hoisting system enables safe deep-water installation in less than favourable weather conditions.
Our client needed a 400t hoisting system to safely place heavy loads onto the seabed at a depth of up to 3,000 meters. To ensure maximum return on the asset investment, the system would have to be able to perform installation jobs in dynamic sea states.
During deep sea lifting and lowering operations, it is important to keep full control over the load to prevent it from slamming into the seabed. Regular Active Heave Compensators are designed to keep the lifting point steady in relation to the seafloor, compensating the movement of the vessel caused by swell and waves. In this case, however, the large working depths of up to 3,000 metres, added an extra challenge.
Over such great distances, even the strongest cables can stretch up to an additional 8 metres in length. So even if the lifting point is kept steady, the load can start bouncing (oscillating) due to the spring-like characteristics the cable develops in these conditions.
By combining our extensive knowledge of hydraulics, automation, winches and heavy lift technology, we designed, engineered and constructed a system that integrates an active heave compensator and a winch system. It includes a storage winch for 3,500m of wire rope, the complete drive and control system with motion reference unit, and controls cabin.
The active heave compensated hoisting system enables the heavy-lift vessel to safely perform installation jobs, even in less than favourable weather conditions. Not having to wait for the perfect weather window, allows the vessel to operate an extra 60 days each year.
We design efficient electrical, and platform and process automation systems for dedicated mission equipment, complete vessels or refurbishments.
Read moreThanks to our long history in the dredging and offshore industries we have a lot in-house knowledge of designing winches that are fit for purpose.
Read moreIHC has a long history of installing Motion compensation systems on hopper dredgers, and today our systems are used in cutter suction dredgers, well intervention towers and deep-sea lowering systems, among others.
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