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HNLMS Johan de Witt has left the dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV) more than a week ahead of schedule. The amphibious transport ship is now once again berthed at Quay E at Vlissingen-Oost for the remainder of the Midlife Update (MLU) and third Appointed Maintenance work. The work is a joint project between Damen Naval and DSV.
HNLMS Johan de Witt has left the dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV) more than a week ahead of schedule.
The docking started with over two metres of water being pumped into the dry dock to check that all new valves were properly installed, and the ship was watertight. The water level was then slowly raised to a height of several metres. On Saturday, 26 November, the dock was further filled, and the ship was towed out and moored at Quay E with the help of three tugs.
“Like coming into the dry dock, the operation of docking out went smoothly thanks to good preparation and cooperation from all involved. The Johan de Witt is again safely moored at Quay E and Dock 2 is available to DSV ahead of schedule.”
HNLMS Johan de Witt is moored along the quayside at Vlissingen-Oost for the remainder of the works.
In early July, the Johan de Witt entered dry dock and a whole list of dock-related work has been carried out over the past few months, including blasting and application of a complete new paint system on the underwater hull, treatment of all tanks and maintenance of the PODS and bow thrusters. The rest of the ship’s exterior was also repainted and the various lifts, pumps, cranes, hangar doors, ramps and other installations were checked. In addition, all 134 outboard valves and so-called ‘tubelures’ were dismantled, inspected and replaced if necessary.
“There was tremendous enthusiasm for the open day. It was great fun and very much appreciated by our client and end user.” Fer Tummers
The Johan de Witt will remain in Vlissingen-Oost until 1 April 2023. After that, the ship will be towed to Den Helder, where the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and the Directorate of Materiel Maintenance (DMI) will complete their own scope of work. In close consultation between the two project teams, DMO has decided to carry out part of the work that was planned for Den Helder earlier in Vlissingen-Oost. Fer: “In this way, we are helping our client relieve some of the pressure on their schedule. Where possible, we will assist DMO and DMI, which again is additional work for Damen Naval.”
Members of the Association of Marine Officers visited the shipyard in November.
Two special events took place in early November: a visit by the Association of Marine Officers (both active officers and former officers), and an open day for family members of project employees. Some 35 members of Willem Joseph Baron van Ghent were welcomed to Vlissingen-Oost on Tuesday 10 November with a lunch. After a presentation by Kim Pušić about Damen and another by Fer Tummers about the MLU, the visitors were given a tour around and on the ship in small groups. The day ended with an Indian meal. “It was a very successful visit. We were told afterwards that the association has never had such a nice outing before,” Fer says.
An open day was held on Saturday 14 November for family members of project staff. The family day was organised in cooperation with DMO, DMI and the Naval Forces Command (CZSK, the crew) Fer: “There was tremendous enthusiasm for it. We had more than 500 people visiting and taking a look around the dry dock and on board. It was great fun and very much appreciated by our client and end user.”