DCV Balder

DCV Balder is a Deepwater Construction Vessel (DCV) operated by Heerema Marine Contractors.

History

The Balder was constructed in 1978 as semi-submersible crane vessel by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.. Balder and sister vessel, Hermod were the world's first semi-submersible crane vessels. In the early 1980s these vessels set several lift records while operating in the North Sea. Conversion to a DCV was carried out in 2001 by Verolme Botlek BV in the Netherlands.

Design

The hull consists of two floaters with three columns each. The transit draught of 12 meters is normally ballasted down to 25 meters for lifting operations, with the floaters (with a draught of 12 meters) are well-submerged, reducing the effect of waves and swell.

It is powered by seven 3,500 kW azimuth thrusters and two propellers. There is accommodation for 350 persons. Lightship weight is 49,631 tonnes.

In the 2001 conversion, it was fitted with seven thrusters and a J-lay system. The 98 m J-Lay tower, designed and constructed by Huisman Itrec, is capable of laying pipe in water depths to 3,000 m (10,000 ft). Balder was also equipped with class III Dynamic Positioning system and a Mooring Line Deployment winch. The winch is the largest in the world, with a diameter of 10.5 meters and a Safe Working Load (SWL) of 275 t.