Planning meets precision
Mr Murali Mani, AGM, Logistics department, the supervisor of the FLO-FLO technique to transport Maharaja jack-up from Mumbai Port to Mauritius, recounts the critical operation.
It was 5.30am on June 1, 2019, and we were at Mumbai Port. The EIDE Trader vessel was about to begin the ballasting process to submerge in the sea waters and make way for the gigantic Maharaja jack-up to be loaded on it using FLO-FLO technique (Float On-Float Off). Its treacherous journey to Mauritius was to begin later. What went behind all of this was detailed planning, efficient management and near-perfect execution.
The EIDE trader and Maharaja jack-up had already been docked at Mumbai Port since last evening. The representatives of Afcons, Mumbai Port Trust, along with the Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS), Vessel Captain and Super Cargo had held a detailed toolbox meeting on the vessel bridge. All the minutest of details and technicalities of loading the barge on to the vessel had been ironed out. This was to be a critical process, and there would be no second chances. All arrangements had been inspected, including the wooden mates on the board, dimensional checks, etc. The details around the vessel had been were thoroughly checked, and, it was ensured that all the wooden blocks and other elements on the vessel were clear from the bull rails. The checking and proper verification had to be done in the night as the time window was limited and the operation had to be carried out within stipulated time and without errors.
This was first-of-its-kind undertaking at the Mumbai Port, and the operations on D-day started with the ballasting of the vessel up to 6m (0.5m below the main deck). It was further taken down up to 3m in the cargo hold. In about three hours, the team got the EIDE Trader ready for Maharaja to be floated-on. Two tugboats manoeuvred the huge structure till it was about 5m from the cargo hold of the vessel. It wasn’t easy as the waves constantly drifted Maharaja off course. However, the crew’s determination and troubleshooting helped it to be at the right spot, in the right time. Once it was in position, first lines were passed to the vessel and breast lines were subsequently connected to the winch of the vessel. Eventually, the jack-up was pulled in slowly to get at final docking position. The entire process was carried out in just over an hour.
As the team secured Maharaja at the right position, the de-ballasting of the vessel up to the dock level began. Ninety minutes later, the vessel was back up on the water level. The combined team of Chief Officer, Afcons representatives, MWS and Super Cargo ensured the wooden cribbing and setting of Maharaja was perfect. The spuds of the barge were then lowered to the positions. Afcons team on the site also placed diagonal lashings with 32mm wires and completed the sea fastening on board. As extra precaution, wooden wedges were placed at spud housings to restrict any movement of the barge whatsoever during the voyage.
The securing of barge didn’t stop there. With such an important and priceless equipment facing a long, wild and unpredictable journey, every possible step was executed minutely. In consultation with the Super Cargo, the barge was further secured on deck by welding temporary stopper pads. And after this entire operation, every single detail was completely checked to satisfactory levels by Super Cargo and MWS. The barrage was finally ready for its voyage in about 12 hours from the start of the operation.
It is operations such as these that help us maintain our equipment fleet efficiently and ensure their smooth transit from project to project. Whether it is within the country or globally, Afcons teams make sure no stone is left unturned to help our equipment reach their destinations safe and sound. Our extreme projects depend on these equipment and such critical operations. These successful operations are extreme projects in themselves and they are the unsung heroes of our successful projects. Maharaja soon left for its voyage without any damage and we hope to keep it that way!
