Last week Afloat reported the arrival to Dublin Port of the crane-ship Lara 1 which presented an unusual sight as the vessel based in Liverpool, had carried out operations on this side of the Irish Sea, writes Jehan Ashmore.
As for the reason of the crane-ship’s call, Afloat confirmed with Dublin Port which stated the Lara 1, operated by the Dutch firm, Hapo International (see previous story), had been chartered in by Calorgas to lift in at the port’s oil zone a new Marine Loading Arm (MLA).
This new quay side infrastructure of the MLA was installed at Oil Berth No. 3, which is one of four berths located at two oil (west and east) jetties. They are located close to the port’s Vessel Tracking Systems (VTS) operations centre tower.
The MLA was transported by road from the Calor Terminal on Tolka Quay Road to berth 18 (on North Quay Wall Extension as Afloat then reported). From this quay which is used by freight-ferry operator, Seatruck/ CLdN, the MLA was loaded on board Lara 1 which headed downriver to transport to the Oil Berth No.3 for installation.
Following the installation process, Lara 1 the 1,793 gross tonnes vessel which is self-propelled, proceeded to Alexandra Basin to layby overnight prior to departure from Dublin Port this day last week.
Since then, Afloat has tracked Lara 1 head north to Scotland’s west coast where at Uig Harbour, Isle of Skye is currently closed, as expired port infrastructure needs replacement as part of a second phase of upgrade works. This has affected CalMac ferry operations to neighbouring islands in which Afloat will have more to report.