Floating Dry Dock Brings Faster Cruise Ship Repairs
When Carnival Cruise Line’s popular Carnival Vista needed repairs to the ship’s main propulsion system, they went about it a bit differently. Carnival will use a floating dry dock; something not previously available for ships needing repairs. It’s all possible due to Netherlands-based Boskalis, a worldwide leader in marine solutions.
“This groundbreaking procedure made possible by Boskalis is a revolutionary way to ensure Carnival Vista’s repairs are completed in a safe, timely and efficient manner, so the ship can resume her popular seven-day schedule,”
Lars Ljoen, Carnival Cruise Line Marine Operations
The procedure involved loading the 133,500 ton ship onto a semi-submersible heavy transport vessel, Boka Vanguard, and then docking the vessel at the Grand Bahama shipyard for the repair work.
It’s an interesting procedure, with each step detailed in this video:
The actual first-time event went off without a hitch too:
Boka Vanguard arrived in Bahamian waters on Friday, July 5 to prepare for Carnival Vista’s arrival on July 12. The loading, transport and repairs were expected to take approximately two weeks, allowing Carnival Vista to return to Galveston in time for her July 27 voyage, currently underway.
