Research vessel ‘Zirfaea’ arrived at Damen Shipyards Den Helder for annual maintenance and inspections. She was drydocked in the shipyard’s number two dock for maintenance works on her underwater area plus inspection and service to the Wärtsilä thrusters. In addition, all safety items, towing materials and navigational equipment were checked and certified

Extensive piping system

Other activities carried out by Damen Shipyards Den Helder included maintenance on the extensive steel piping system.

Working closely with Hydrauvision Ijmond, experts in the field of hydraulic manufacture, the hydraulic piping system was replaced together with the overhaul of one of the two cilinders on the vessel’s A-frame.

Installation

Also part of the workscope was the installation of a new CSI alarm system and overhaul of the Valmet engine and the gensets. After inspection, it became apparent that the clearances to the lower gearboxes of the thrusters were too great and exceeded the maximum tolerances so these were adjusted and overhauled.

These works were in addition to the usual annual maintenance that is carried out when a ship is drydocked.

Rijksrederij

‘Zirfaea’ is part of the Rijksrederij fleet and is used for hydro and oceanographic research and surveying.

Her main dimensions are 63m in length with a beam of 11.5m.