Boskalis has loaded cruise ship Carnival Vista onto its semi-submersible heavy lift vessel Boka Vanguard. The operation took place off the coast of Freeport last weekend. The cruise ship was then transported to the Grand Bahama's Shipyard on Saturday evening where it will be repaired while resting on the Vanguard's deck.

The loading operation including the refloat took twelve hours. First, the Boka Vanguard submerged to allow the three hundred metre long cruise ship to be towed onto the semi-submersible lift ship. Then the deck was raised again, meaning the Carnival Vista was resting completely on the Boka Vanguard's deck. The cruise ship was then transported in this way to the shipyard. Watch a video of the loading operation below.

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The Boka Vanguard submerged.

Positioning of Carnival Vista above deck of Boka Vanguard

Boka Vanguard loaded with cruise ship Carnival Vista arrives in Freeport.

In an earlier statement, Carnival said the Carnival Vista had 'been experiencing an issue affecting its maximum cruising speed.' The problem was said to be caused by problems with the two azipods. According to CruiseRadio.net, the dry docking aboard the Boka Vanguard was necessary because the Grand Bahama Shipyard's large dry dock, which would have been used by the Carnival Vista, was damaged by a falling crane earlier this spring.

The repairs are to be completed before the Carnival Vista's next scheduled cruise voyage from Galveston in Texas on 27 July.

Boka Vanguard

The Boka Vanguard can lift and transport extremely heavy cargoes. It can transport large offshore oil and gas structures, but can also carry other vessels and act as a floating offshore dry dock facility. The Boka Vanguard is unique in that is has an open and flat stern and bow-less deck measuring 275 by 70 metres allowing the vessel to lift and transport cargo’s longer and wider than these deck dimensions. 

By filling its ballast tanks, the ship deck is submerged in a controlled manner, allowing it to lift deep draught cargoes. This creates an alternative for dry docking allowing inspections and repairs to be safely and efficiently conducted at a location where traditional dry dock alternatives are not available.

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