SAL Heavy Lift’s investments into the DP 2 system and also in the design, construction and testing of the hang-off beam were rewarded during the first DP2 offshore project: both the vessel and its DP system performed superbly.

Two structures were loaded, transported to the field and deployed to the seabed by MV ‘Lone’ of type 183: a protection cover of 80mtons that is supposed to protect an existing pipeline and valve arrangement, was loaded in Ortona, Italy. The second structure, a pipeline end manifold (PLEM) weighing 120mtons, was loaded in Limassol, Cyprus. It was to be deployed in the area where a soon to be installed FNLG vessel would be moored. The purpose of the PLEM is to connect the gas import pipeline, which runs on the sea bed to the port, with the FNLG vessel thereby allowing the transfer of gas ashore.

During the deployment and installation process, the MV "Lone" was supported by the client’s diving support vessel (DSV). From this vessel, divers were deployed to the sea bed to assist with structure positioning and de-rigging once satisfactorily deployed.

A short preparation time required the SAL Heavy Lift engineering department to perform rapid and efficient engineering. The initial plan for the structure deployment was to re-reeve one crane from its usual 8 fall configuration to a 4 fall configuration. This would have allowed the crane hook to easily reach the maximum 85m water depth. However, for lack of time, an equally safe and efficient method was devised utilising the crane, pennants and the hang-off beam. The PLEM was deployed first, with the protection structure following almost three weeks later, completing the project successfully.