The outbreak of the coronavirus brings about unprecedented challenges for shipyards around the world. Despite pandemic, intensive work at the Baltic Engineering repair shipyard is taking place. Last month, R/V Baltica research vessel was undocked. As part of the renovation, the vessel underwent a complete range of maintenance.

"We managed, despite the epidemic restriction in Poland, to carry out repairs according to the contract. The work took less than three weeks. We performed the full scope of ship maintenance: electrical work on the generator, rudder repair, refreshing. It's hard to find an element that wasn't painted during this renovation "- says Łukasz Wenta, renovation manager at Baltic Engineering.

On Thursday, April 23, the last stage of renovation, i.e. undocking, took place. The ship was submerged to a depth of 4 meters at the Drewnica quay. Then, the safety and security of all side equipment was reviewed and checked. The last phase of the operation was r / v Baltica's exit from the dock.

As Wenta admits: "We hope that the renovation of this vessel was the seed for further cooperation with the Maritime Fisheries Institute. Despite the epidemic, intensive work in Baltic Engineering is taking place. On Monday we are starting to renovate the hopper barge, at the beginning of May we expect a barge with a pusher. Shipowners are already reserving deadlines for next year ".

The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a number of restrictions in Baltic Engineering. "First of all, we focus on safety. Each of the employees wears a mask, we require maintaining the recommended distances and regularly test the temperature," adds Wenta.

Baltic Engineering has been carrying out repairs to vessels for domestic and foreign owners since 1992. They services are provided for ships during their stay in domestic ports and shipyards as well as in other countries abroad and during the sea voyages. Baltic Engineering is able to repair practically all marine machinery and equipment and using its shore-based facilities in its workshop can repair any equipment dismountable from vessels, i.e. pumps, compressors, turbochargers, medium-size diesel engines.

Baltic Engineering has available its own floating dock since 2012 and it is berthed at the Drewnica quay in Gdańsk having the following parameters:

    overall length: 68 m
    inside breadth: 11.9 m
    deadweight: 1 200 T
    dock cranes: 4 x 1.00 T

Moreover, Baltic Engineering often accepts other organizational form of repairs to ships and is acting as subcontractor for larger business entities which are involved in similar projects.

R/V Baltica research vessel is co-owned by: the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute (NMFRI) as well as the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – Gdynia Marine Branch. NMFRI is its shipowner.

The main tasks of r/v Baltica are:

1. Oceanographic as well as biological and fishing research on the Baltic Sea

It is conducted to determine the possibilities of catches and specify the ecological conditions which affect the state of the resources. It is closely connected with the international biological programmes of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

2. Research into the functioning of the Baltic Sea's ecosystem

Conducted within the international projects under the patronage of ICES, bilateral cooperation with the Baltic states and projects financed by the Polish State Committee for Scientific Research.

3. Environmental research on the Baltic Sea

Within the national programmes and international obligations, especially in the fields of oceanography, marine atmosphere, radioactive substances and pollution – obligations towards Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) – BMP, EGAP, MORS and data collection for the National Oceanographic Service.

R/V Baltica's general information:


Length overall: 41.0 m
Length measured between perpendiculars: 35.5 m
Breadth: 9.0 m
Height up to the main deck:4.5 m
Draught: 3.5 / 4.45 m
Capacity: 614 BRT
Deadweight tonnage: 242 t
Velocity: 11.5 knots
Cargo space: 130 m3
Maximum time of independent sailing: 30 days
Main engine: produced by H. Cegielski type 8S20D; 1040 kW; (900 rpm)
Auxiliary generator: Caterpillar 160 kVA
Screw propeller diameter: 2.7 m
Bow thruster: type S 1.0 – 150
Home-port: Gdynia

Crew / Research team:
    
fishing cruises: 13 people/ 9 people
oceanographic cruises: 11 people / 11 people