/// Drydocking

MATA REDONDA

The world's largest semi-submersible barge ZHONGREN 3, operated by Fairmount, is contracted by INDUSTRIAL PERFORADORA DE CAMPECHE, S.A. DE C.V., for the dry-docking of their semi-submersible rig MATA REDONDA. 

Besides supplying the barge and ballast engineers for the load-out and discharge of the rig at Tampico, Mexico, Fairmount also provides load out engineering / cribbing plan and naval architects during loading / discharging.

After preparation of the Barge's decl with 141 concrete cribbing blocks of each 1,12 m high, barge ZHONGREN 3 was towed by the tug HUA AN to the location about 7 nm from the yard for the loading of the MATA Redonda.

Early morning on Thursday 28 October the ZHONGREN 3 was ballasted down to a depth 21 m, giving a clearance above the deck of approximately 8,5 m and thus allowing the rig and the tugs to come over the deck of the ZHONGREN 3.

After positioning of the rig using the barge's winches on the forecastle and floaters, the rig was safely and precisely touched down on the cribbing. Upon completion of the de-ballasting, the barge was shifted back to the yard where the works to the rig, amongst others the addition of sponsoons, took place.

After almost three months the works were completed and ZHONGREN 3 was shifted to the same offshore location for the discharge of the rig. The weather on location was absolutely perfect for the operation and the rig was safely and quickly discharged. The rig was then towed back into port for further maintenance work, whilst ZHONGREN 3 remained at her anchorage, waiting for the tug to begin towage to New Orleans for her next commitment.