The launch and recovery system (LARS) equipment for the Nautilus Minerals’ production support vessel has arrived at the Mawei shipyard in China, Toronto-based underwater mineral exploration company informed on Tuesday.
The LARS, built by AxTech on behalf of Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD), consists of A-frames, lift winches, hydraulic power units, electric power units and deck control cabins.
The system will be used to launch and stabilize the seafloor production tools during deployment from the vessel down to the seafloor and during retrieval from the seafloor back up to the vessel.
Mike Johnston , Nautilus’ CEO, said: “It is very exciting for us to see our equipment start to arrive at the Mawei shipyard in China. The next step for the LARS will be its integration onto the production support vessel (PSV), commencing June after import/customs clearances and minor re-assembly. The LARS’ installation marks the start of our equipment integration onto the PSV, and will be undertaken by Mawei shipyard personnel with support from Nautilus and the equipment vendors. The vessel build remains on schedule, and we look forward to seeing more of the equipment arrive for integration over the coming months.”