The Smit Energy received 220 tons for her double hull and was the first existing Bunker Barge to be double hulled in South Africa.

Record-depth Cofferdam repair
DORMAC has added another first to its fine line of achievements with the undertaking and completion of their deepest ever Cofferdam repair in Richards Bay.

A Riding Squad (Travelling Team) of 20 people from Dormac Durban and Richards Bay undertook repairs to the 1986 built Cape Size Bulk Carrier the MV Hebei Wisdom operated by Hosco.

The Hebei Wisdom had detected water ingress on her way to South Africa and it was decided she berth at 306 at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal to undertake the repairs.

A 1,5m vertical crack on the portside of the vessel, 15m below the waterline was detected, and the decision was made to undertake a permanent repair. A SAMSA inspection was carried out prior to the vessel entering Richards Bay Harbour to ensure that she would’nt cause any obstruction while in port. Dormac was asked to carry out the repair, thus giving them the opportunity to construct their deepest Cofferdam ever done.

The design and fabrication of the Cofferdam, which took place in Durban, measuring 18m/2,4m/1,2m and weighing in at 17 tons, was the first Cape Size vessel cofferdam undertaken in any Port.

In the past, Cape Size vessel cofferdam repairs have been restricted to anchorage due to their drafts not allowing them to enter port.

Working 15 meters below the waterline, the crack was cut out and a 2m by 0.6m (20mm) steel insert was fitted under the supervision of a Chinese Classification Society Surveyor. The repair was completed in record time causing little delay and the fully laden iron ore carrier was then able to continue on her voyage.

Dormac awarded major contract by French company Technip
Dormac have recently been awarded a major contract by French Company Technip to carry out major works in the way of steelworks to ballast tanks and the fabrication of a new accommodation module and various other workshops and offices on board their vessel the CSO Constructor.

In addition, Blasting and Painting of the Hull and Accommodation structure will be undertaken, including the internal ballast tanks.

The CSO Constructor will enter the Graving Dock late in September and works should be carried out within 50 days. A team of 120 skilled artisans from Technip will accompany the vessel to Durban to assist Dormac with the scope of work. In addition, 5000 tons of spares and equipment will be shipped in to complete the project.

Container vessel CMA CGM Montenegro visits Dormac for the 2nd time this year
The Container Vessel CMA CGM Montenegro visited Dormac for the 2nd time this year. Her first visit involved the removal and overhaul of her Bow Thruster motor. In addition, temporary repairs were carried out on storm damage to the bow of the vessel.

Whilst undertaking her next call to Dormac, her Bow Thruster motor was refitted while permanent steel repairs were undertaken to the bow storm damage.

Repairs were undertaken at N-Shed, some 2 km’s away from Dormac due to our yard being at full capacity.

21 meters of drop staging was erected to carry out the repairs. Damaged steel on the Portside bow was cropped out and renewed.

17 Tons of new steel plating was welded into place to the owner’s representative’s satisfaction and repairs were completed ahead of schedule.

MV Saf Gonubie in the Dormac Repair Quay
for steel repairs
The MV Saf Gonubie was recently alongside the Dormac Repair Quay for 15 days where steel repairs to the focsle area were undertaken and minor repairs to her Hatch Covers before she moved into the Graving Dock.

Steel repairs were carried out on her no. 4 starboard ballast tank where 3,5 tons of steel was renewed and 2,2 tons of renewals to her no. 4 portside tank. Minor repairs were also undertaken on her other tanks.

Whilst alongside the Dormac Repair Quay the vessel was trimmed, and the Bow Thruster was removed afloat, for overhauling in the Dormac Machine Shop.

All Boiler valves were stripped and overhauled while all 3 crane cabs were fully refurbished.

Whilst in the Dock, the Bow Thruster was replaced, and new make-up applied. Once all repairs were completed the MV Saf Gonubie changed her name to the MV Columba.

Unical Bunker Barges visit Dormac
The Dormac Repair Quay has recently had the two newly built Unical Bunker Barges alongside, undergoing slight alterations and preparations before they begin active work. The building of the new Unical Barge, ‘Hull 109’, is well under way in the Dormac fabrication and assembly grillage, and is due for completion towards the end of the year. See pictures below for the latest on "Hull 109".

Dormac - Cape Town
Afloat repairs have kept Dormac Cape Town busy 24/7
Three German Naval Vessels were berthed at Simonstown Navy Base and Dormac was requested to assist with various repairs, which included steel work, main engine work and renewal of a steam fired boiler.

Re-enforcement of steel stiffeners in all cargo holds of a container vessel, allowed the container vessel to now load housing modules bound for West Africa.

The M/T Sophie Theresa suffered damage to her bow thruster and Dormac – Cape Town was appointed to carry out the repairs. The bow thruster was removed from the vessel whilst afloat, overhauled in our workshop and refitted.

The drill rig Deepwater Expedition called Cape Town for major repairs and
Dormac – Cape Town won the tender for the installation of new Schedule 80 piping for the thruster room and sprinkler system.

Tenders have been awarded to Dormac – Cape Town by Transnet and 3 of the tugs based at Saldanha Bay have now been dry docked in Cape Town. Numerous afloat repairs have also been carried out on the tugs by Dormac.

The M/V Suez Express appointed Dormac –Cape Town to renew steel plating in various areas of the vessel, and was completed in 18 days.

The OSAHV Toisa Valiant called Cape Town with M/E gearbox problems. Dormac – Cape Town was called in to assist the maker’s man. The gear box was stripped down and transported to our workshop where repairs and renewals were undertaken and completed.

Our divisions which include pipe work, electrical installations and motor rewinds, hydraulic repairs, main engine and auxiliary engine overhauls, refrigeration & A/C plants have benefited by the service levels that Dormac –Cape Town offer their clients.

Dormac - Saldanha Bay
The call for Dormac – Saldanha Bay to attend to ships requiring repairs while at the inner anchorage and while loading / discharging of cargo has steadily increased.

The M/V Aquadance arrived at Saldanha Bay with a crack inway of the engine room shell plating and slightly above the water line.

Equipment, materials and scaffolds were loaded onto the vessel at the inner anchorage while waiting for her berth to become available and repairs resumed immediately. The vessel then shifted alongside and the steel repair was completed without any delays to the vessel loading her precious cargo.

Numerous call outs during the night for repairs to ships, have been received by Dormac – Saldanha Bay and our quick response time coupled with quality have made ship owners more aware of service levels available to them by Dormac.

Transnet tugs in Saldanha Bay are making use of our services and we are kept busy with both minor afloat and major repairs that keep cropping up from time to time.

The industrial sector of Dormac – Saldanha Bay have been kept constantly busy with new clients utilizing our services daily.

Dormac Richards Bay
Dormac Richards Bay Industrial Team was hard at work once again, with the manufacturing of four Furnaces (2 Melting Furnaces & 2 Holding Furnaces) for an overseas client (Solios).

The furnaces took four months to manufacture and with them being ‘abnormal loads’ they had to be escorted, with changing traffic police escorts, hence, the journey to Pietermaritzburg took 3 days. The massive furnaces each weighed 44.6 tons, with a length of 9.7m, a width of 6.5m and a height of 4.8m.

Our Industrial Team has also completed two ‘Service Barges’ for Richards Bay Minerals.
These barges are used to transport equipment from the ‘Concentrator’ (which is in the middle of a lake which is created with RBM mining technique) to the shore. The type of equipment transported includes Trommels, Transformers, Motors, Pumps, Hoppers etc.
With a 7 Ton Crane mounted on the Barge it is capable of loading and unloading itself.

The Barge has a Diesel Generator which supplies the power to the Hydraulic Power Pack, which operate the Crane & two Bell Back-hoes Two independently operated hydraulic propellers drive the barge. The Barges measured a length of 14.5m, width of 7.5m and a depth of 1.3m. Each Barge weighed in at 61 tons.

Dormac Richards Bay team building 2008
The Richards Bay Team headed off to the Northern Berg (Alpine Heath), on the 30th June 2008 for an adventurous weekend. The Dormac Richards Bay Team was treated to a fulfilled weekend which included Hikes, Paintball, Fly-Fishing, Putt Putt, Table Tennis, Pool and Bungee Jumping. Much fun was had by all and the team sprit rejuvenated and more than ready to return to the grinding wheel. Thank you to Mr Theo Reddy (Divisional Director Richards Bay) for making all this possible.

New engagements - Dormac welcomes the following people to our team
June 2008
Mark Naidoo – Junior Buyer – Durban
Masooda Sheik Ismail – Data Capturer – Durban

July 2008
Wayne Elder – Diving Supervisor - Durban
Stevan Bester – Project Manager – Saldanha Bay

Dormac Diving Division takes delivery of new diving surveillance vehicle
The Dormac Diving Division has recently taken ownership of a new Diving Surveillance Vehicle. The vehicle is fitted with a full Dive Panel, including CCTV and Surveying equipment for all types of Diving work.

Whilst in operation the client can watch a clear visual as the diving survey is being conducted and is able to communicate verbally with the diver. Once the Diving Survey is completed, a DVD can be made for the client’s further perusal.

Dormac ABET learners 2008
As of the 05 June 2008 the new group of ABET learners commenced with their Literacy and Numeracy training.

The learners will be attempting the National Examinations hosted by the Department of Education in November this year. This is the first step for most of these men who are striving to become Artisans and Foremen. We have a total of 20 learners, who have been divided into three groups, based on their current levels of literacy. There is representation amongst the group on this program from various departments namely Stores, Machine Shop, Fab Shop, and Pipe Shop.

Artisan Accelerated Training Programme

AATP Progress Two Months have passed and the 30 AATP learners have been progressing well. Their first practical assessment took place at the end of May 08. All learners are on track with regards to the institutional training schedule that is being followed by the training college. We look forward to them joining the Dormac team.

Dormac "ship shape" calendar
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