The last time the Schelde Schakels included an update from the Damen Naval-built RSV Nuyina, the vessel was moored in a Singaporean shipyard to have some maintenance work carried out on her clutches. “The official contractual term for the scope of work we had to carry out on the Nuyina’s clutches is an AFC Rectification,” says Site Manager ASRV SG Project Jorrit Scheepstra who has been based in Singapore since the Nuyina arrived there on 27 April 2022. “Although these are not the first advanced friction clutches of this design, they are the first of this type to be so large. Due to the size of Nuyina’s clutches, the supplier underestimated the impact of the size on the clutch engagement behaviour. This called for a modification that was carried out jointly in Singapore.”

This photo shows how large Nuyina's advanced friction clutches are. This photo shows how large Nuyina's advanced friction clutches are.

This complex job took longer than planned, as Jorrit explains: “In order to work on the clutches, major components on the port and starboard shaft lines needed to be dismantled. However, some components sustained damage and had to be replaced.” Jorrit is referring to the Nuyina’s OKFX couplings which are situated directly aft of the AFC clutches. The function of these couplings is to connect the clutch to the aft section of the propulsion train. “Unfortunately, not only are these OKFX couplings long lead items, there is no space available to dismantle them from the intermediate propeller shaft. This is not necessary as these components are normally installed ‘for life’ and do not require maintenance.”

Combined with additional work requested by the client, it meant that the Nuyina had to stay in Singapore much longer than originally planned. “From a technical point of view, this was the most feasible option, with everyone doing their utmost to minimise the impact. We completed the sea trials in the first week of April, taking the ship out to show the customer that everything worked according to the design specifications,” tells Jorrit.

Jorrit (right) during an HSE awards ceremony at the shipyard in Singapore. Jorrit (right) during an HSE awards ceremony at the shipyard in Singapore.

With Damen’s scope of work complete, the 160-metre long Australian icebreaker departed once again for her home port of Hobart, Tasmania on 9 April this year. The Nuyina is still under warranty and Damen’s last contractual milestone will be the vessel’s ice-breaking trials which are expected to take place in Q4 2023.

While Nuyina was in dry dock, additional work requested by the client was also carried out. While Nuyina was in dry dock, additional work requested by the client was also carried out.
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