Unveiling the Extreme: Transporting the Largest Drilling Ship Across the Sea

TLDRJoin the journey of transporting the West Bolster, the largest semi-submersible drilling ship in the world, from South Korea to Tenerife. Witness the challenges and dangers faced by the crew and the massive tugboat, Alp Striker, as they brave bad weather and rough seas. The innovative connection system ensures stability and maneuverability throughout the journey. Experience the thrill and expertise required to transport this engineering marvel across the globe.

Key insights

💪Transporting the West Bolster, the largest drilling ship, requires a powerful tugboat with 24,000 horsepower.

🌊The journey from South Korea to Tenerife exposes the crew and equipment to bad weather and rough seas.

🔗The unique connection system, featuring a delta plate and emergency ropes, ensures stability and durability during transport.

🚧Positioning and securing the heavy chains, weighing up to four tonnes, requires precision and expertise.

🌍The West Bolster's transport journey demonstrates the capability and ingenuity of engineering solutions on a global scale.

Q&A

What is the towing capacity of the tugboat, Alp Striker?

The Alp Striker has a pulling power of 309 tonnes, thanks to its 24,000 horsepower engine.

What challenges did the crew face during the transport?

The crew faced bad weather, strong winds, and rough seas, which put their expertise and the equipment to the test.

How does the connection system ensure stability?

The connection system utilizes a delta plate and chains to distribute tensile forces evenly and maintain stability throughout the journey.

What precautions were taken to protect the West Bolster during transport?

Emergency ropes were installed to quickly re-establish the connection in case of any unforeseen incidents or extreme weather conditions.

What does this transport journey demonstrate?

This transport journey showcases the capability and ingenuity of engineering solutions on a global scale, pushing the limits of transportation logistics.

Timestamped Summary

00:03Unveiling the Extreme: Transporting the Largest Drilling Ship Across the Sea

03:45The journey begins, as the West Bolster sets sail from South Korea to Tenerife.

08:07The crew prepares the connection system, ensuring stability and durability during transport.

17:47The Alp Striker, the most powerful tugboat, connects to the West Bolster for the journey.

19:23The crew secures the chains and the delta plate, ready for the transport journey.

20:00The crucial moment arrives as tension is applied to the chains, ensuring a secure connection.

20:40The journey begins, facing challenges such as bad weather, rough seas, and expert navigation.

45:47The West Bolster arrives in Tenerife, a testament to engineering expertise and global transportation capability.