AFRICA MERCY DRYDOCK, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA SEPT-DEC 2010

AFRICA MERCY GENERATOR REMOVAL - SOUTH AFRICA OCTOBER 2010.

Mercy Ships state-of-the-art hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, has recently entered dry-dock in Durban, South Africa. Built in 1980, it had become essential to replace the onboard power generators in order to provide the vessel with a reliable supply of power and enable it to remain in service. The ship is receiving four 5L21/31 type MAN engines, each with an output of 1,000 kW (1,360 hp). The new generators will be mounted in such a way as to cause minimum vibration, as any vibration transmitted to the operating theatres could make the surgeons' task more difficult.
The Africa Mercy entered dry-dock on Saturday, September 25th . Approximately 40 shipyard employees are working on the ship.

At this stage in the project, the workers have cut a hole in the side of the ship and removed the old generators: four Frichs diesel generators and two B&W Alpha diesel generators. Currently, the foundations are being prepared before the workers lift the new generators into the ship.

Bottom of ship after
draining water from
drydock bay

Other than the project manager and project supervisors, the Africa Mercy crew is not

working directly on the generator project. They are, however, providing ample support for the ship yard during the project. There are roughly 80 Mercy Ships crew members still living on the ship working simultaneously on other projects. The ship being in the ship yard created an opportunity for the crew to repair areas that cannot normally be worked on when the hospital is in use. Projects include replacing the Main Engine Control System, doing a Main engine overhaul and painting in the dining room. There are also some hospital modifications being done.

South African Shipyard welders cutting
hole on portside of ship to remove
the old generators

Cutaway piece from portside
being hoisted to dockside






Old Harbour Generator took hours to
remove from the engine room

When the project is complete, Mercy Ships will be able to reduce its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20%. It will serve as a substantial cut of annual fuel costs. Founder Don Stephens is pleased with the amount of money that will be saved, and ensures those savings will directly benefit patients onboard the Africa Mercy in the future.


Old Frichs engine hoisted up to dockside by crane

  



Old Harbour generator being lined up on the ramp
before hoisting up to dockside

  

Old Harbour generator being hoisted to dockside


  



 
 
  

Old Frichs engine being taken away to the South African shipyard warehouse

 



New MAN Generator being craned into
engine room









Beginning stages of the new MAN generator in place in
the engine room