The Remora “Hiload DP 1” Returns to the Port of Las Palmas

We must once again address this invention of the offshore industry called “Hiload DP 1”, flagged in Cyprus, which is back in the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where it has been on previous occasions, including in September 2014, when it conducted a demonstration exercise of its functions, coupling in the waters of the harbor to the tanker “Navion Anglia”. Now it comes to perform repairs and maintenance, before continuing with its mission.

It is a remora that attaches to the side of a tanker to keep the vessel positioned with its own propulsion while making loading and/or unloading connections to single point moorings or FPSOs, thereby avoiding the cost of the tugboat that is used in many terminals, as noted by chief engineer Juan Manuel Pérez Rodríguez. It debuted in the North Sea, in successive coupling and uncoupling operations and pumping crude alongside the tanker “Telleviken”, in adverse weather conditions, and the results have been as expected.

The project is Norwegian and can fulfill its function in the offshore industry anywhere in the world. Built by Aibel, Stavanger (Norway), it has a gross tonnage of 1,697 tons and measures 28 m in length, 27 m in width, and 25.50 m in maximum draft. Classified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), it is equipped with a state-of-the-art dynamic positioning system to ensure its full operability. IMO Code 8770950.

Photos: Nicolás Arocha for puentedemando.com