ABLE UK LICENCE ISSUED/CLEMENCEAU

[JonHare]

I had a drive past TERRC this afternoon. I would safely say that there will be no more arrivals by sea into the basin, as there is only a very small gap left in the pilings across the mouth. So they won't be anything else coming in till after the gates reopen at the end of the year.

Anyone who hasn't got a shot of HMS Kellington at Stockton-On-Tees should be very quick as she is due to be removed for scrapping this coming week, by Able UK. I am unsure of how/ where they will scrap her, as I have heard a couple of theories. 1) Her Tops sides took off and Hull towed to the A66 bridge and lifted onto the river bank and scrapped there. 2) She will be removed and transported in sections and lorry/ low loader to TERRC for scrapping.

What ever way we will find out this coming week what happens to her.

[holedrille]

I presume Able are intending to make the entrance watertight and then pump the dock out, making it 'the biggest dry dock in the world' (quote).
This means that they will be operating in the mud around the ships, and cannot bring anything in or out for a long time. Surely it is easier to slice the tops off and gradually work down as they float up.
Have they actually stared any cutting yet?
David

[JonHare]

Next vessel to arrive next week is the fire damaged Viking Vulcan http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=665456
She is due to be towed in by the tug Forth Drummer. Showing on the Tees forecast. http://www.thpal.co.uk/teesport/shippingreports/SR-10-ShippingMovementsNext7Days.asp

[JonHare]

holedrille wrote:
I presume Able are intending to make the entrance watertight and then pump the dock out, making it 'the biggest dry dock in the world' (quote).
This means that they will be operating in the mud around the ships, and cannot bring anything in or out for a long time. Surely it is easier to slice the tops off and gradually work down as they float up.
Have they actually stared any cutting yet?
David

Yes the dock will become watertight by the building of a bund around the entrance of the basin.

The entrance should be reopen by the end of the year to allow the next batch of ships to come in for recycling. It is understood that will the bund is in place construction of the dock (basin) gates will be done, so then it will be just a case of opening and closing the gates everytime.

Dismantling work cannot start untill the dock is closed and dried. The only dismantling work that has been carried out at TERRC is the sections from the North West Hutton platform, which has been done on dry land.

[JonHare]

A couple of pictures of HMS Kellington at Stockton, where she is to be dismantled in situ. I don't know if sections of her will come to TERRC for processing or she will be processed on site at Stockton Riverside.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31848041@N08/3463384485/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31848041@N08/3463384493/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31848041@N08/3463384495/

[JonHare]

Hartlepool Mail

Preparing Viking invasion
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Preparing-for-Viking-invasion.5206189.jp

With the arrival of the vessel Viking Vulcan expected to arrive this week.

Also mentioned in the article is the jackets of the North West Hutton due, with 5 barges planned each section of 2,000 tonnes and 120ft high. I guess that will be a sight to see. With work getting underway over the May Bank Holiday.

[JonHare]

Today the future of the Tuxedo Royale has been plunged into uncertainty, with the news that her owners (Absolute Leisure) have gone into administration.

With this in mind I can see that with no future projects on the horizon, and the administrators will be wanting to make as much money from the assests of the company. I can see Tuxedo Royale making a one way trip to a scrapyard. So for quick money a sale to the scrappies is almost a certainty. And I would most likely say that it would be Able UK taking her the short journey to TERRC for scrapping.

Anybody with any thoughts?

[Guest]

JonHare wrote:
/>Anybody with any thoughts?

Yes, why move her from the TERCC in the first place - as clear as your nose on your face that she was going to join the Tuxedo Princess in the scrapyard - no money for frivolity in this climate of credit crunch!

Regards

[Nathan]

Hi Steve,

I think she was towed out to make room for Clemenceau. Once Tux was out of the way they then moved two of the American ones over to the other side of the basin so Clemenceau could slide right in the middle. Im unsure, but when Tux was first put in the basin, it was just for storage? But I think were all agreed that she is probably past her sea worthy life.

All the best

- Coatham

[JonHare]

This evening saw the last of the arrivals via sea, through the basin entrance untill probaly December time. Fire ravaged Vulcan Viking was towed in.
http://www.british-images.fotopic.net/p58205136.html
http://www.british-images.fotopic.net/p58205147.html
http://www.british-images.fotopic.net/p58205133.html
http://www.british-images.fotopic.net/p58205155.html

[C]

Ellwood wrote:
Quote:

JonHare wrote:
/>Anybody with any thoughts?

Yes, why move her from the TERCC in the first place - as clear as your nose on your face that she was going to join the Tuxedo Princess in the scrapyard - no money for frivolity in this climate of credit crunch!

Regards

I thought the Tux P had gone to Greece....The same place as the Tux R was heading!

[eclaire]

According to the pdports schedule today they are all ''sailing'' on 1st June......lol. Presume they are just shufling around within the basin or something. If the cofferdam is almost complete they wouldnt be able to get out presumably
claire:-}

[andeedob]

There is a current public consultation on the proposals for a  European ship recycling convention available on-line , if anyone is interested: "The success of a future possible Community policy for better ship dismantling depends largely on the participation of the stakeholders who are involved with ship dismantling issues and have the information and experience which must be taken into account. The European Commission is launching this process to encourage and allow stakeholders to provide their  commentstarget="_blank">http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/ship_dismantling_en.htm

[JonHare]

Able UK's Press Releases
http://www.ableuk.com/pressreleases.shtml

14-Apr-09 - Able UK Ltd
ABLE UK BEGINS WORK ON

[JonHare]

7-May-09 - Able UK Ltd
KELLINGTON GUN JOINS HEUGH BATTERY COLLECTION

An important item of military history is to be added to the gun collection at the Heugh Battery in Hartlepool