Carnival Cruise Lines is to use the world’s largest semi-submersible heavy transport vessel to complete repairs to one of its ships in what is claimed to be a world first.
The 134,000-gt Carnival Vista (built 2016) has reported suffered “technical issues” with its azipod propulsion system off the Bahamas.
Carnival said the ship must be repaired in a dry dock, however a facility capable of handling the ship is currently not available in the region.
Instead, the US cruise giant has chartered the Boskalis-owned Boka Vanguard (built 2013) to “dry dock” the ship off Freeport.
The procedure will entail loading the ship onto the semi-submersible heavy transport vessel and then docking the vessel at the Grand Bahama shipyard for the repair work.
“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 from Galveston later this month,” said Lars Ljoen, executive vice president of marine operations for Carnival Cruise Line.
The Boka Vanguard is expected to arrive in Bahamian waters on 5 July to prepare for Carnival Vista’s arrival on July 12.
The loading, transport and repairs are expected to take about two weeks, allowing Carnival Vista to return to Galveston in time for her July 27 voyage and continue with year-round seven-day Caribbean itineraries.
The Carnival Vista is the second largest cruise ship in the Carnival fleet with a capacity of nearly 4,000 passengers and a length in excess of 300 meters.
The Boka Vanguard is said to be “unique” in that is has an open and flat stern and bow-less deck measuring 275 meters by 70 meters allowing the vessel to lift and transport cargo’s longer and wider than these deck dimensions.
