Investing in cable laying with a new barge

Text: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Kommunikasjon

- We see that there will be more exciting projects in the future. This barge is particularly well suited for cable laying, says John W. Nilsen, general manager of FFS.

The vessel, which measures 32 by 14 metres, will be named FFS Aton.

- ATON IS ONE sun god, just like sister barge Amon. So that name fits well, explains Nilsen, who has named the entire FFS fleet after Greek and Egyptian gods.

The newly purchased barge today bears the name Miljøflåten. It was built in 2016 as a de-lice fleet for use in combating salmon lice with a concept where the fish are de-liced using heated seawater.

– THIS SYSTEM is used to a lesser extent today, as there is new and better technology available. This made the barge redundant for the farming company that owned it, says Nilsen.

He says that the de-worming system on board can be used in other contexts such as heating water parks or moving extremely large quantities of water or fish.

- But for our part, it is not relevant to keep it on board. We will therefore dismantle the equipment as soon as the barge arrives in Farsund, and then it will be split up and put up for sale, says Nilsen.

FFS ATON HAS own engine on board and can therefore manage without assistance from a tugboat on short distances. It is equipped with four cranes, each of which can lift nine tonnes. The load capacity is 200 tonnes, i.e. significantly more than FFS Amon which can only take 50 tonnes.

- In addition, there are very nice living conditions on board. Everything is in order for the crew to thrive, says Nilsen.

FFS is now working to have the barge towed to Farsund from Sortland in Vesterålen, where it is now located. As soon as the deworming equipment is dismantled, the FFS Aton will be repainted in the colors of the new owner.

Read the specifications on the FFS Aton here.