Oil rig to ride piggy back from Malta to Singapore
The drilling rig Ensco 85 was yesterday loaded on the heavy lift semi-submersible ship Xiang Rui Kou in St Paul's Bay and will shortly start its long, slow journey to Singapore.
Prior to its departure the rig will require 48 hours of continuous welding by a team of expert Maltese welders to secure it to the carrying ship.
The journey around the Cape of Good Hope to Singapore will take 36 days. The rig cannot pass through the Suez Canal as its legs are too high to pass under a bridge built over the canal.
Both vessels are represented in Malta by Cassar & Cooper.
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Giovanni Rizzo
Dec 4th 2011, 20:21
From the Bugibba Qawra promenade at eight this evening,i noticed that there are no warning lights on top of the rig.
Peter Murray
Dec 4th 2011, 17:54
Dear Mr Carmel,
The hull of the transporter vessel(or craft as you refer to it) will be ballasted to raise substantially more than what is shown in the photo with the result being that the vessel will then traverse through the water similar to any fully laden cargo vessel and only very exceptional sea-swells or very rough seas will clear the hull.
Pule' Carmel
Dec 4th 2011, 15:56
The fact that the hull of the craft is almost wholly submerged, as the centre of buoyancy will not move out as the ship rolls so the stability depends upon a very low centre of gravity .
With so little reserve buoyancy above the water the swell will go over the hull.
It is a risky job. May God be with you ! Please keep your eye on the weather charts.
Good luck
Daniel Goggi
Dec 4th 2011, 16:59
once the rig is welded, the ship will not be submersed.... the ship only goes into semi submersion to allow the rig to float just like in a dry dock...
Philip Pryce
Dec 4th 2011, 13:59
Maybe when they have delivered that one they can come back for the one they have built in Freedom Square!!!
John Dee
Dec 5th 2011, 09:49
Excellent observation - letter of the month !
D. A . Agius
Dec 4th 2011, 12:33
I think its most dangerous part will be passing in the area of the PIrates Infested waters...
Joe Galea
Dec 4th 2011, 09:56
Environmentally the number one enemy of Planet Earth.
Mr James Galea
Dec 4th 2011, 12:37
yes we know mr galea But if it wasn't for oil drilling the situation would still be worse. It seems that to day enviromentalists think that we can do without oil for energy. Forget it we stiil have a long way to go.
Mr Tony Gatt
Dec 4th 2011, 13:19
You could join the Tuareg and heat your house with camel dung.
Mr Tony Gatt
Dec 4th 2011, 09:31
It would be interesting to follow this ship to its destination- the sea swells around the Cape can be something else!
Mr Duncan Scerri
Dec 4th 2011, 10:52
You're probably thinking of Cape Horn, not Cape of Good Hope.
Mr Tony Gatt
Dec 4th 2011, 13:02
@ Duncan Scerri
No, I've been round the Cape of Good Hope- never Cape Horn.
Believe me the sea round the Cape of Good Hope can be quite scary, especially the swell.
Marcus Honney
Dec 5th 2011, 08:58
You can follow the Xiang Rui Kou's progess here: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?mmsi=414017000