Forth and Tay members

26T proof load testing of cranes using Water Weights bags completed onboard a pipelay vessel Buoyancy + Water Weights USA Unique Group successfully completed a 726t proof load test on a 1000t Huisman crane onboard a multipurpose construction pipelay vessel in Florida, using our pioneering brand of Water Weights 110t load testing bags. The test is one among many other being conducted on the vessel as a part of five-yearly class survey performed by Huisman and MacGregor. Client Requirement The client wanted to perform a series of tests on the main Huisman 1000t AHC wire rope luffing and knuckle boom crane and MacGregor 100t AHC Knuckle boom and auxiliary crane, under the supervision and direction of Unique Group’s personnel. Our team was the load test authority in this project and they also provided assistance with the actual load test.

Unique Solution delivered The heavy load test was achieved in an easy, safe and cost-effective manner using our massive 110t capacity Water Weights load testing bags. In addition to assisting with the load test, the team also provided load test diagrams and load test plans as a part of the work scope. The complete scope of work was performed at a shipyard in Pensacola, Florida with personnel dispatched from regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas thus demonstrating our ability to adapt and mobilize equipment, as required from multiple locations to support customers. The load test plan utilized several of Water Weights large capacity 110t bags, calibrated load cell, and all the necessary rigging. Proof load testing of cranes using Water Weights bags

SeaSerpent buoyancy system assists in submarine cable installation Buoyancy + Water Weights UK and France Unique Group’s Buoyancy and Ballast division assisted the client in installing HVAC and fibre optic cables between the Channel Islands Guernsey and Jersey, then on to mainland France using Seaflex branded cable floating buoyancy product SeaSerpent in depths ranging from 0-35 msw. The HVAC cable and SeaSerpent being deployed at Havelet Bay. Client Requirement The client VDS Cable BV, a Dutch Submarine Cable Installation Contractor, approached Unique Group to assist them in the installation of 2 HVAC power cables and 2 (bundled) fibre optic cables by the Channel Island Electricity Grid between the Channel Islands Guernsey and Jersey, then on to mainland France. They needed a cable floatation system to ease the cable laying process during large currents and tidal ranges in depths of 0 – 35 msw. Challenges faced There was restricted vessel access for the shore approaches and strong ocean currents and tidal ranges, all of these were maneuvered with proactive planning and excellent technical execution.

The HVAC cable and SeaSerpent being deployed at Havelet Bay. Client Requirement The client VDS Cable BV, a Dutch Submarine Cable Installation Contractor, approached Unique Group to assist them in the installation of 2 HVAC power cables and 2 (bundled) fibre optic cables by the Channel Island Electricity Grid between the Channel Islands Guernsey and Jersey, then on to mainland France. They needed a cable floatation system to ease the cable laying process during large currents and tidal ranges in depths of 0 – 35 msw. Challenges faced There was restricted vessel access for the shore approaches and strong ocean currents and tidal ranges, all of these were maneuvered with proactive planning and excellent technical execution. Unique Solution delivered As the client had specifically requested for Unique Group’s patented cable flotation system SeaSerpent, we provided 2000m of Seaflex branded SeaSerpent cable flotation system Type 2350/2/10 which gave a linear buoyancy of 106kg/m. The power cables used in this project were manufactured by ABB High Voltage Cables of Norway and the fibre optic cables were manufactured by Ericsson of Sweden. The VDS Cable Installation Vessel ‘SEA SPIDER’ was used for the installation and burial of the cables. Early morning SeaSerpent equipment load-out on to CLV SEA SPIDER off Cowes, Isle of Wight The SeaSerpent was supplied in 100m (16 off) and 50m (8 off) sections delivered on steel transport, deployment, recovery (TDR) drums. Also, to complement the flotation system two pedestal deployment and recovery systems (DRS) were supplied. One manual brake DRS was stationed on the CLV SEA SPIDER (vessel) for controlled deployment and one hydraulic DRS was stationed with the beach party. SeaSerpent being attached to the HVAC cable showing Seaflex manual brake RDS For the startup of the project at Havelet Bay, Guernsey, Unique Group personnel were also present to set up and initiate the first shore approach. During this first approach the cable was deployed at 260m per hour, 600m of SeaSerpent in total, cable towed to shore and laid in position within one tide. During the project, the SeaSerpent spread was successfully used for a total of four HVAC and four Fibre optic landings.