Bangor University Supply and Installation of a Pair of Portside Davits on Fishing Vessel

Tender description

As part of the MOSSS project led by the Centre for Applied Marine Sciences (CAMS) at Bangor University, there is a requirement to adapt the mussel dredger ‘Stil Ostrea’ in order that she is equipped to safely undertake operation of an experimental offshore mussel farm. The boat will be operating in strong currents (up to 2.5knts) and in a large tidal range (up to 7m) and this must be taken into consideration in the final specification of equipment. The mussel farming system consists of six 150m length 34mm Seasteel headerlines submerged at 2 - 4m depth, supported by up to twenty, 250L offshore mussel floats on a 75cm lashing secured to the seabed by helical screw anchors. When in operation, 1500m of continuous weighted offshore mussel longline will be suspended from each headerline (10m drop at a 1m spacing). Mussel rope is manufactured by ‘Itsaskorda’ (http://www.itsaskorda.es/en/) and is the weighted ‘braided hairy looped’ offshore type. Dry weight of rope is 500g/m and we can expect potential mussel yields up to 12kg/m. We require a supplier to supply and install a bespoke mussel rope handling system. The proposal and price should include all relevant work, including any required modifications to the vessel. This should include (but is not limited to) removable portside Davits with sliding arms equipped with a hydraulic winch. Winch will raise the mussel header line (34mm Seasteel) from up to 20m water depth to sufficient height to allow the line to be dropped onto free-wheeling star wheels (supplied) to be fitted on the outer face of the davits above the gunwale. As appropriate, hydraulic controls must be included. The davits must be removable from the boat. Lifting equipment should be appropriately tested and certified.