New crane boat with special features

Text and photo: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Kommunikasjon

"This is a highly versatile boat, ideal for cable laying in narrow fjords. But it can be used for much more," says FFS CEO John W. Nilsen.

Using a mobile control system, he stands on the deck and demonstrates how one of the cranes operates. The boat has a total of four cranes, each with a capacity of 100 ton-meters, lifting over 10 tons. The reach is 27 meters, and at the outermost part of the winch, the lifting capacity is one ton.

PREVIOUSLY, the boat served as a delousing fleet used to combat sea lice in Sortland, Vesterålen. On its way to Farsund, it stopped at Green Yard Kleven in Ulsteinvik.

There, the delousing facility was dismantled and sold in parts to various buyers. Simultaneously, a wooden deck was installed to protect the steel deck underneath.

"We bought used deck protectors that were scrapped at Green Yard Kleven. So, this has been done in a sustainable and good manner," says Nilsen.

FFS ATON has also received new colors. Only one thing remains.

"Onboard, there is a living module securely attached to the deck. We will remove this and make it mobile, so it can be used on land, on FFS Aton, or on any of our barges. A separate sewage system is installed beneath it. So, all we need to add is power and freshwater," says Nilsen.

The living module has four cabins, each with its own bathroom facilities. In addition, the crew can relax between work sessions in a spacious mess with TV and cooking facilities.

FFS Aton measures 32 by 24 meters. The cargo capacity is 200 tons, significantly more than FFS Amon, which can only carry 50 tons. However, the biggest advantage of this self-propelled barge vessel is that it can operate in extremely shallow water.

"WITHOUT CARGO, the depth can be as low as 60-70 centimeters. Fully loaded, it has a depth of one and a half meters. In addition, the propellers are flush with the hull, allowing us to approach a beach and unload equipment without damage.

FFS Aton is also equipped with a dynamic positioning system, allowing it to anchor without using an anchor.

Through satellite positioning, wind sensors, and automation, the propellers can be controlled, keeping the boat in a fixed position. This system can also be used for inspections of pipes or cables, where the boat automatically follows the underwater drone or a pre-selected route.

The typical crew on board is two people plus project personnel.

"FFS Aton complements our fleet well and enables us to take on new types of assignments. We look forward to getting started," says Nilsen, revealing that several customers have already expressed interest in utilizing FFS Aton's services.