Float-On Float-Off-Ship Jobs
Flo-Flo Ship Jobs
The Flo-Flo ships provides
unmatched supports for the transportations of gigantic cargos such as semi-submersible
drilling units, deep water jack-up rigs, large floating production platforms, offshore
wind turbines, boats, yachts, ships. For
instance, as a result of modifications the carrying capability of Mighty
Servant-1 increased from 21,000 to 45,000 tons which means twice of its own
weight on deck. Its LOA is 190.03 m (623.5 ft), Draught is 26 m (85 ft)
(submerged) and 14 m (46 ft) (maximum cargo).
Today’s Flo-Flo ships
are lengthier, wider and extensively modified than before heavy lift vessel
making them largest of their type in the world. The specially strengthen unobstructed
cargo deck approx.150 meters long by 50 meters wide bigger than a soccer field.
Its two engines are 6,770
kW Wärtsilä 12V38A sets of diesel generator, running two c.p. propellers by
four 3,100 kW Electric motors. Two propellers can be driven by single engine.
Two bow thrusters of 500 kW each. Cruising speed is 14 knots and maximum of 15
knots with 20 crew members on board vessel.
Propelling Flo-Flo Ship requires
lots of horse power approximately 20,000 HP from two main engines. As engines
are situated in the bow portion of the ship and the propellers are at the back,
more than 500 ft away it is not possible to have typical propeller shaft. So
the diesel power is converted to electrical power and send by electric cables
to four electric engines in the astern.
Larger semi-submersible
drilling unit, deep water jack-up rigs, large floating production platforms or naval
ships may be wider than deck of heavy lift ships. It will over hang both side
of the ship and suppress the cargo deck because of its extra stress. Pressure that
could affect the capability of the Flo-Flo ship.
But with the correct
kind of calculation, perfect ballasting and right weather condition for loading
and perfect sailing conditions on the voyage it can transport the cargo to
desired destination successfully.
By vigilantly pumping
seawater into its around 50 ballast tanks starting from the astern and slowly
moving ahead the flo-flo ship can sink below the sea surface. Depending on
draught of the vessel or the offshore platform upcoming aboard, a depth of few meters
or as much as up to 24 meters or 80 ft can be achieved that taking in many tons
(77,000 tons) of water. In this situation the Flo-Flo ship is highly unstable.
There will be very small
space for movement from winds, waves, currents and swells. The load master has to
carefully calculate the balance point and the center of gravity of freight. Nearly
all of the weight of the flo-flo ship is below the water surface. The bridge at
the bow and the two stabilising tower at the astern is all that remain in
sight.
During refloating of the
flo-flo ship water is pumped out of the ballast tanks. The flo-flo ship will be floating up by two
systems, the pumps and the air compressors. Below deck pumps and piping take up
enormous amount of the space. Actually most of the flo-flo ship is nothing but piping
and ballast tanks that can transfer water in and out of the hull at a rate of
8000 tons of water an hour.
