A&P Tyne, part of the A&P Group, has completed the annual refit of the 14,087gt ro/ro cargo ferry Norcape for P&O Ferries. She arrived at the Hebburn yard on March 26th and left May 23rd. At peak times, over 100 personnel were employed with all contract work completed in line with the original schedule. She will return to service between Tilbury and Zeebrugge. A significant part of the project involved using SPS Overlay to reinstate 2,300m² of the upper, lower and tank top decks after the removal of 1,825m² of existing doubler plates using arc air gouging. SPS Overlay used the existing steelwork to form the underside of a composite. After being blasted and cleaned, perimeter bars and new plates were welded in place to create cavities, which were then injected with a fast-setting elastomer. The result is stronger decks with enhanced resistance to corrosion, fatigue, fire, impact and vibration. Work also included steel insert renewals on various areas of the upper deck with a total of approximately 170m². The project also involved the renewal of the crankshaft of the Mitsui 12V42M starboard main engine. This was a unique experience for A&P to work with only two of four existing Mitsui 12V42M engines in the world. The engine was dismantled and reassembled under the supervision of the main engine manufacturer’s representative, however special care and attention was required when removing the running gear, ie Cylinder Heads Pistons and Liners.It was necessary to remove the exhaust manifold assembly including turbo chargers and coolers to allow sufficient height clearance for lifting the Engine to allow the crankshaft to be removed.
