Dormac has recently completed another first in South African Maritime History with the successful ‘mating’ of Smit Amandla’s Bunker Barge ‘Pentow Energy’ with her new Double-Hull in the Dormac Slipway.

The double hulling of Bunker Barges has become necessary due to a new environmental ruling aimed at preventing oil spills in the event of accidents.

The bottom section of the double hull had been pre fabricated and was laid out on blocks in the slipway waiting for the mating with the Barge.

Once the slipway was flooded, manouvering of the Pentow Energy onto her new hull was a very delicate operation, as there was less than 4 mm either side to ensure a perfect line up. After a few tense moments the Barge was positioned perfectly on her new lower hull, a fine achievement, considering that it was the first time it had been attempted in South Africa!

Double Hulling of the side, and flat bottom sections commenced as soon as the lower section had been firmly attached.

The complete Double – Hulling will involve 200 tons of steel, and while the Pentow Energy is to be renamed Smit Energy, she is expected to be back in action by late June or early July.

IN THE DOCK
The MV Sea Prince visited Dormac for the second time this year and spent some time on our repair quay before moving into the Dry Dock.

While alongside the quay we undertook tank cleaning to the fuel and oil tanks including steel works and repairs to the Hatch Coamings and Stools.

Once in Dock she received a blast to SA 2.5 and a complete repaint of her hull.

	Tailshaft and rudder clearances were also taken, including double bottom steel repairs and the removal of the old length Anchor chain and a new section installed. Her Cargo Crane Hooks and Grabs were dismantled, with new bushes for the Grabs being manufactured and Crane Hooks repaired in our Machine Shop.
	Her Sea Valves were reconditioned including piping repairs undertaken and thickness gauging done with about 19 000 gaugings being taken.

MV PONTICA
The MV Pontica sailed into Dormac on the 3rd February from the Middle East and her stay included being Dry Docked for 14 days where she received a full hull blast and repaint and the withdrawal of her rudder, propeller and tailshaft for class survey and the renewal of stern tube seals.

72 Tons of steel renewal commenced while she was in dock, to her Tank Tops and Cargo Decks, including extensive hydraulic repairs on her cargo cranes and Tween Deck hydraulic cylinders.

Hatch covers were repaired in-situ, wasted steel was renewed with plate inserts and buckled hatch cover straightened.

In addition to structural repairs, 11 000 thickness gauging points were taken as a prerequisite to a change of class that she has undergone.

MSC AGATA
The MSC Agata stayed alongside our repair quay, she was dry-docked where she received a full blast and repaint to her hull. Repairs included the removal of her rudder and in-situ machining of the rudder horn and a new vesconite bush being fitted to the rudder.

Her propeller was also removed, new outer seals and liner fitted and inner seals were bonded. 4 Crane heads were removed, new ones were fabricated and refitted back onto the vessel including all sheaves being removed, refitted and replaced.

All crane jibs were removed and extensive steel renewals done to all.

11 Hatch covers were removed with 70 tons of steel repairs undertaken to all including chipping, cleaning and painting.

COFFERDAM
Dormac undertook its 4th Cofferdam job of the year recently with the fitting of a Rudder Cofferdam to the CSAV Trinidad.

The rudder cofferdam was installed to carry out underwater repairs in way of steel renewals of the rudder horn. This involves the complete removal of the rudder in water and for the repairs to be carried out in a temperature controlled environment.

Included in the repairs was the replacement of the stern tube seals, reinforcing and repairing cracks in the Rudder Horn, removing the rubber stock and changing the carrier bearings.

The Propeller was removed before the Cofferdam was fitted and repaired to control cavitation on the portside on the propeller.

In completing the repairs a survey of the tailshaft was undertaken and Simplex Seals were overhauled.

MV BOURBON ALTAIR

A new General Supply Vessel the MV Bourbon Altair stopped off in Durban on her maiden voyage and chose Dormac to carry out some afloat repairs to her crane pedestal which included the fitting of a 45 ton crane with a 24 ton capacity.

Sailing straight from the Bharati Shipyard in India to Dormac, we installed her new Hydraulic System which had just arrived from Holland and conducted a 100% scan on all welds.

After leaving the Dormac Repair Quay, the Bourbon Altair set sail for the West African Coast where she will operate from Point Noire in the Congo.

FIRST BUNKER BARGE HANDED OVER
After the successful completion of the first Bunker Barge to be built in South Africa for Local Client Smit Amandla Marine the official handover of the Barge took place at Dormac on the 3rd March 2008. Seen on the left is Smit Amandla’s Contract and Vessel Manager Mr Sean Raath accepting the final handover documents from Dormac’s Technical Manager Mr Henry Hugo.

DORMAC CAPE TOWN
The month of January saw Dormac Cape Town carry out their first dry docking in Simonstown.

The Sanko Dolphin underwent blasting & painting of her hull and the new Sanko livery colours where applied. The total aft wooden deck area was renewed, as was numerous sea water valves and pipes. Cement tanks, brine tanks & E/R bilges were cleaned and prepared for inspection.

Fishing trawlers from as far as Mossel Bay and around to St.Helena Bay on the West Coast made their way to Cape Town and Dormac Cape Town was contracted to do the dry dockings and repairs as well as tailshaft removals.

Afloat Repairs have kept Dormac Cape Town extremely busy, with numerous dry dockings being confirmed for the rest of the year. Steel renewals, pipe repairs, electrical and hydraulic works have been the norm of the day.

DORMAC SALDANHA BAY
After only a few months of the opening of this branch, the ship repair workload is on an ever increasing upswing.

Vessels requiring repairs of any nature have made use of Dormac Saldanha Bay and their neat workshop facilities.

Transnet tenders have been won by Dormac Saldanha Bay with this resulting in dry dockings and various afloat repairs being successfully completed. The industrial market in the Saldanha area is also now showing a keen interest to do business with us and this would be the result of Dormac’s B.E.E. certification as well as being strategically positioned for the Industrial Sectors requirements.

APPOINTMENTS / PROMOTIONS
Dormac would like to congratulate and welcome aboard the new members of the team.

Durban:

• Marius Claassen - Diving Manager
• Themba Nhlapo - Labour Administrator
• Nadine Moss - Cost Controller
• Albert Frost - Manufacturing Superintendent
• Graeme Stead - QC/QA Ship Repairer
• Kuben Reddy - Payroll Superintendent
• Craig Hardie - HR Manager
• Dorian Letcher - Trainee Estimator

Cape Town:

• Earnest Rayner - Ship Repair Foreman

INHOUSE TRAINING @ DORMAC
In order to maintain the number of skilled Artisans in our country the government put in place a new strategy called AATP (Accelerated Artisan Training Programme). Dormac has taken up this opportunity to be part of this project.

The programme kicked off on the 7th April 2008 and will run over an 18 month period. The programme is broken up into two parts – 6 months institutional training and 12 months work experience.

Dormac has recruited 30 learners to be part of this project. On completion of their institutional training the learners will be placed on jobs to gain work experience.

At the end of the 18 months training programme the learners will be trade tested .Dormac is one of the few companies that have been awarded an opportunity to develop these learners. Dormac intends to retain these learners once they have successful passed their trade test.

DORMAC SUPPORTS ST PHILOMENA'S
Dormac has supported a number of charities over the past few years, and one of those has been the St Philomena’s Children’s Home in Sherwood. The home provides a safe, caring environment to a number of abused and orphaned children as well as heading up and supporting satellite homes across the province of KZN.

After our recent Golf Day, the proceeds of the raffle on the day were handed over to St Philomena’s to assist them with the daily running costs of the home.

Accepting the amount of R6000.00 from Dormac’s Payroll Administrator Mrs Fathima Ismail (left) and Hours Accounting Clerk Mrs Shamin Singh is the Director of St Philomena's Childrens Home Mr Fabian Carey.

DORMAC SHAVES IT ALL OFF

The Dormac Staff recently participated in the CANSA Shavathon to raise awareness and funds for people fighting Cancer. Those not brave enough to shave their heads were able to have colour highlights.

Each employee who had their hair shaved or sprayed contributed R50.00 towards the campaign and raised a total of R 2700.00 with the Dormac Management matching that, enabling Dormac to raise R5500.00 for Cancer awareness.

The event was also undertaken to remember two past employees from the Durban Head Office Mr Simon McLeod and Mrs Shimaney Taylor.

DORMAC GOLF DAY
Dormac recently held its inaugural Golf Day at Cotswold Downs in Hillcrest. It was a day to thank clients, agents and suppliers for their contribution to the success of Dormac. A full field of 80 players enjoyed the beautiful but tough course, and the winning four-ball of Garreth Stewart (Seaclad), Glenn Cheary (Fairship KZN), Glenn Daff (BSI Steel) and Okkie Olivier (ISS Voigt) came in with 83 points, winning themselves brand new Odyssey Putters.

At the prizegiving, the raffle draw was won by Peter Burrows from Elgin Cooling and the proceeds (R6000.00) went to the St Philomena’s Children’s Home in Sherwood. Two auctions were also done for a framed picture of Shaun Pollock and the Springboks World Cup win. A big thank you to the successful bidders, Glenn Daff from BSI Steel and Brian Fynn from Marine & Hydraulic, the proceeds from the auctions went to the NSRI and Boys Town.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the day, we hope you enjoyed your day with us.

ACTION CRICKET

The Dormac Dockrats recently powered their way through their league winning 8 out of 9 games to clinch the D2 League Title and be promoted to the D1 League for the new season. Well done to Captain Jacques Van Den Busshe and his chargers.

TUGELA RIVER RAFT RACE

The 22km 40th Tugela River Raft Race took place early in April and with Dormac entering 4 rafts, about 50 employees had been eagerly awaiting the day out on the Tugela.
The number of keen participants had nearly tripled from last year and amongst all the eggs, dye bombs and water the day did’nt disappoint. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and a great team day out.

Special thanks to Charles Maher and Quinton Smart for their efforts and to the Captains of each raft.

We’ll be back next year!

DORMAC "SHIP SHAPE" CALENDER
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