Brittany Ferries' new 24,641GT RoPax ferry 'Armorique' will shortly enter service featuring a vehicle access outfit from MacGregor, Finland.
'Armorique' has been designed specifically to run between Plymouth in the UK and the Breton port of Roscoff in France. Last year Brittany Ferries took delivery of 'Cotentin', which is a freight-focused version of the design and also features a comprehensive RoRo outfit from MacGregor. 'Cotentin' has 2,200 lane-metres of vehicle space and now serves routes from the UK to Cherbourg in France and Santander in Spain.
Both ships were built by STX Europe's Helsinki yard in Finland. 'Armorique's' two-deck loading and discharge allows for fast turnaround times in ports. The comprehensive hydraulically-operated RoRo equipment package from MacGregor is based on stern access and a bow door / ramp. Clear deck heights of 5.2 metres are offered on the main deck and upper deck and 4.6 metres on the tanktop.
MacGregor's scope of supply on board 'Armorique' includes:
• a bow door (and operating equipment)
• a bow ramp / door
• a stern ramp / door
• a hoistable tilting ramp
• a side-hinged ramp cover
• a top-hinged front door
• two passenger doors
• two pilot doors
• two engine room hatches
• three power packs.
'Armorique's' bow door forms a weathertight part of the ship's hull structure in the forebody and is divided into two sections with an intermediate joint at the ship's centreline. Each section is attached to the hull by hinge arms which ensure parallel motion when opening or closing. The door is arranged to provide the required clear access for the bow ramp.
Each door section is operated by a double-acting hydraulic cylinder attached to the structure and opens outboard (port and starboard) in a parallel motion. Two ice-breaking / push-out cylinders provide initial movement during opening.
Forward access into the main vehicle deck is arranged over a three-section hydraulically-operated bow ramp comprising two main sections and an additional folding end section. When closed, the first section forms a watertight door at the collision bulkhead.
The vessel's stern ramp and door are built in one section and hinged at the lower end of the stern in the threshold deck. They are supplied with hinged shore flaps and internal bridge plates to smooth the passage of vehicles driving over them.
MacGregor has also supplied a hoistable tilting ramp which is arranged between the main and upper deck. The ramp consists of a single main section with hinged end flaps and when closed, it forms a weathertight closure.
The ramp can be raised and lowered by means of a wire system anchored at the deckhead, which passes around sheaves and is attached to pulling cylinders mounted within the ramp structure. It is equipped with retractable hinges at both ends, so that it may be lowered either way.
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