Antarctic refit `as good as anything in
Transcription
Antarctic refit `as good as anything in
32 Antartic THE SKIPPER MARCH 2015 Antarctic refit ‘as good as Redesigned Console and Helmsman station By Tony O’Callaghan The standard and quality of workmanship in a variety of trades and services in Killybegs is “as good as anything anywhere in Europe”, according to one local businessman. John Cormack of Barry Electronics Ltd. made the claim to “The Skipper” following the completion of a refit on Eamon McHugh’s “Antarctic”. The work involved a major modernisation of the vessel’s refrigeration system and electronics. The contract for upgrading of the refrigeration system on board the “Antarctic” was won by the Killybegs-based KER Group after competing with other international suppliers. The old system was running on R22 refrigerant which was no longer available. The new system was designed and installed using a more energy efficient and safer Ammonia Spray Chilling System. A section of the hull was cut open to allow for the removal of the existing equipment. In order to install the Ammonia systems the new RSW room must be isolated from the other areas on board. To do this, a new bulkhead with selfclosing door and secondary escape hatch were fabricated and installed. New circulating and condenser pumps with frequency inverters and stainless steel pipework were installed. The two new RSW plants were installed skid mounted for speed Congratulations to Eamonn and Crew on The Antarctic refurbishment of installation and maximisation of space on board. The system is controlled by a state of the art PLC System with touchscreen interfaces. This is located outside the RSW room with secondary touchscreen control points in the wheelhouse and in the engine room control room. The RSW room is fitted with explosion-proof lighting as well as with gas and fire detection systems. New high velocity explosion-proof fans will ventilate the room in emergency situations and water spray containments systems at each access point prevent any possible gas leakage from the RSW space. All materials used were class approved by DNV and certified after installation. Speaking to The Skipper Antarctic owner Eamonn McHugh said “We are extremely happy with the new RSW installation, and the quality of our fish is outstanding. We have received a better price for our fish and in turn the processor has also received a better price. It really is a win win situation” “We would have no hesitation in recommending KER Group to any Skipper/Owner upgrading their refrigeration system.” St Catherines Rd, Killybegs, Co. Donegal Tel: 074 97 31215 Fax: 074 97 31739 As part of the major wheelhouse overhaul Barry Electronics upgraded a lot of the original navigation and fish finding equipment and fitted 17 new 19” and 20.5” Neovo Flat screen Monitors. They also installed a Phontech 3120 Ships Intercom system and a range of new communications equipment with all communication antennas and cabling being replaced. Working with carpenter Sean Doherty, Barry’s team fitted a Complete new bridge lighting system and finally a SeaTel 4004 Satellite TV system. Talking afterwards, John Cormack had particular praise for quiet-spoken carpenter, Sean Doherty, who made the wheelhouse consoles and wooden fittings for the upgraded and replacement electronics. “Sean Doherty is easily as good as any craftsman in Europe”, said Cormack. “We have worked in yards all over Europe and I can tell you that you will not find better. “The significance of that is that vessels are travelling long distances to other countries to have work carried out which could be as well done or better right here in Killybegs.” John Cormack conceded that a major factor in the decision of vessel owners to travel to other countries was the availability of suitable dry-dock facilities in Ireland. But, that being said, work was being outsourced which could be carried out as well or better here. MARCH 2015 THE SKIPPER Antartic 33 s anything in Europe’ “We’re talking about millions of euro worth of work”, he said. For his part, Sean Doherty shrugs off such fulsome compliments. “It’s all in the measuring up”, he says. “You have to measure and survey the whole thing and make your templates. You have to draw everything to scale and have every surface its true shape. The setting out and the figuring out is as much of it as anything.” Sounds simple enough. Sean learned his trade as a young apprentice with Laverty Design Workshop in Dunkineely. After eleven years there, he left to set up Sean Doherty (Killybegs) Ltd. Doherty Joinery Ltd. was founded in 1996. Eamon McHugh is not a new customer. “We did the work for him on the old ‘Antarctic’, Sean recalls. Antarctic at her home port Killybegs The type of work carried out on fishing vessels by Doherty Joinery Ltd. is varied. “The majority would be in the wheelhouse but, at the same time, we do bunks and cabins and galleys; the whole thing”, says Sean. The critical factor in working on boats is getting the survey right. “If you are doing a wheelhouse, you have to do a big survey of the whole thing. Then you go away and make your templates. You have to draw everything to scale and every surface has to be its true shape. Original main console Refurbished Wheelhouse “The setting out and the figuring out is as much of it as anything. You have to get that right and get it accurate. If you don’t get that right, you have nowhere to go to start with; planning would be a big part of it.” Other work carried out by Doherty Joinery Ltd. includes replacement consoles on the Irish Lights vessel, “Granuaile”. He recalls: “We measured up and templated and then we were only two days on board fitting it.” Another job involved wheelhouse consoles and furniture for the “Northern Celt” in Greencastle. Others included the “Western Endeavour”, the “Lovon” in Baltimore and Andrew Orr’s “Havila”. ROSHINE ROAD, KILLYBEGS, CO. DONEGAL WWW.KER.IE TEL: (0) 74 97 31525 FAX: (0) 74 97 32111 CONGRATULATIONS TO EAMONN & CREW ON THE ANTARCTIC REFURBISHMENT REFRIGERATION WELDING / FABRICATION ELECTRICAL FISH HANDLING CHANDLERY WATER TREATMENT