When clients need careful solutions to complex problems, they know they can trust Sarens. That’s what happened in September, when Sarens was entrusted with the lifting and transport of a catamaran patrol vessel for the Coast Guard Administration of Taiwan, a project that was conducted on behalf of client I-Cheong. Putting its engineering expertise and creativity to the test, Sarens transported the approximately 600-tonne Anping-class vessel from its build hall at Jong Shyn Shipbuilding to a Syncrolift shiplift. 

From the start, Sarens knew that this operation would be a challenge that necessitated precise problem-solving and engineering ingenuity. First, careful consideration had to be given to the relatively low stool height that had been specified for the Goldhofer SPT, and which was much lower than normal for our Kamag 2400 SPMTs. Additionally, pick-ups could only be performed at very specific locations along the vessel, and Sarens had to consider its strongest points and the potential for bending during transport. 

Further adding to the complexity, Sarens did not have equipment for bracing between the SPMTs and could not weld lashing points to the vessel. Therefore, to overcome the risk of trailers shifting relative to each other, Sarens decided to arrange the SPMTs with the forward trailer positioned perpendicular to the two rear trailers. And because there was no height for a transport grillage, the crew would need to utilise stopper wedges and fabricate a restraint system to prevent the vessel from shifting relative to the SPMTs. 

With these detailed plans in place, Sarens mobilised all equipment to the site within a day. Offloading and setting it up required just one day, with another half-day for installation under the vessel.

The coast guard vessel was lifted and transported smoothly and safely, with no issues or unexpected events arising once the plan was in motion. We’d like to thank the Sarens team, including one supervisor and three operators, as well as the client’s riggers, for a successful operation. No matter how many lifts we plan and perform, we never lose sight of the fact that it’s the professionalism and expertise of the people involved that make it all possible.