Ceremonial ship launching followed by breaking of a champagne bottle over the bow are believed to be a way of inviting good luck for the newbuild vessel.
What is more, the launching ceremony marks the official transfer of the vessel to the water, a symbolic act symbolizing the union of the two in the years to come.
There are various types of launching including stern-first launching, sideways launching and air-bag launching, each special in its own particular way.
Here is a video bringing a taste of sideways launching of the ‘Walk-to-Work’ vessel Kroonborg at shipyard Royal Niestern Sander that took place on October the 6th.
The ‘Walk-to-Work’ vessel will support the maintenance and service activities of NAM/Shell UK for the upcoming 10 years in the Southern North Sea.
The new design, which will provide accommodation for up to 60 people has been designed to provide a workspace, storage, hotel and a means of transport to and from offshore platforms, which will enable offshore activities on production platforms to be executed more safely, efficiently, effectively and in a more productive manner.
This DP2 vessel is equipped with motion compensated elements, such as an offshore access system and a deck crane, a package of ‘start-up’ and intervention equipment and a deck area of 500m2. The vessel is expected to be delivered February 2015.
World Maritime News Staff