Six aircraft carriers in a row for Farmar

Text: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Kommunikasjon

Farmar has gradually gained an unusual position when some of the world’s largest naval vessels call at Norwegian ports.

During the two Stavanger calls by the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the tugboats Farmar Athos and Farmar Ares worked close to the enormous vessel.

ON THE FIRST call, Farmar provided both vessels. When the aircraft carrier returned for a second stay in Stavanger, only Farmar Athos took part.

This means Farmar has been involved in all six aircraft carrier calls that have taken place in Norway so far.

“We are starting to get quite a bit of experience with aircraft carriers now. The fact that we have been involved in all six calls says something about the trust we have built up,” says John W. Nilsen, General Manager of Farmar.

THE ASSIGNMENTS in Stavanger were essentially classic tugboat assistance. The Farmar vessels assisted during manoeuvring in and out of port, where precision, control and close coordination with the pilot, crew and harbour are crucial.

HMS Prince of Wales is one of the Royal Navy’s largest and most high-profile vessels. When an aircraft carrier is to be handled in Norwegian waters, it requires experience, power and special adaptations.

IT IS FARMAR ATHOS in particular that stands out. The tugboat has a feature that makes it especially well suited to working close to aircraft carriers: its mast can be lowered.

“It is rather special. There are not many vessels that can do that. When you are working close to an aircraft carrier, you need to be able to get in under the flight deck. On a normal tugboat, the mast would hit it. Farmar Athos can lower its mast and get the entire vessel underneath,” says Nilsen.

With the mast lowered, the tugboat has an air draught of just under 13 metres. This allows the vessel to work beneath the overhang of the flight deck, where other tugboats may have limited room to manoeuvre.

“Farmar Athos is preferred for these assignments precisely because of its lowering mast. It gives us flexibility that is important when the margins are small and the vessels are this large,” says Nilsen.

THE FIRST Stavanger call was linked to an exercise. The second was a yard visit to GNC Yard.

Farmar has also previously assisted during aircraft carrier visits to Oslo.

“These assignments may look simple from shore, but they require a great deal of planning, skilled crews and vessels suited to the job,” says Nilsen.

For Farmar, six out of six aircraft carrier calls is more than a curiosity.

“We are proud to be chosen again and again. When vessels like these come to Norway, and we get to be involved every time, it shows that we have the people, the equipment and the experience required,” says Nilsen.