Winter Conditions for Standard Supplier and Standard Princess
By Kirsty Fletcher-Reid on 04 Feb 2019
Fletcher vessels Standard Supplier and Standard Princess have been working for a client over the past four months across in the Baltic Sea.
Operating from a Port on the Finnish Coast, the vessels have had to endure colder climates than they are used to during the winter months. Whilst our vessels and crew are accustomed to the harsh weather conditions expected from the North Sea, the Baltic has proved to be highly varied in its ice conditions, lending well to the vessel's Ice Class notations.
The Baltic in mid-winter experiences ice formation along its coasts in the inner Gulf of Finland, thereafter the freezing can spread to the open bays and far along the coastline, causing the sea to have partial ice cover and creating difficult working conditions for vessels operating in the area.
To enable the vessels to work in such conditions, both the Standard Supplier and Princess have the ICE (1B) notation which means they are capable of navigating in moderate ice conditions, up to medium first year ice which can get to approximately 30-50cm thick. In addition, their DEICE notation has them classed to operate down to -30 degrees.
As temperatures plummet to well below freezing, the sea spray can also cause issues as it begins to freeze on areas of the deck and railings. To mitigate this, the vessels are equipped with Ice Accretion Prevention Systems which helps to prevent the ice build-up which would otherwise cause an unsafe environment for the deck crew to operate in. Unfortunately, we don't have a similar solution for cold crew...other than our extreme weather gear which everyone on board is equipped with!
Although the weather may have been frosty, it certainly made for some exceptional scenery, and the crew have shared some fantastic shots from their time spent working there so far.
"Fletcher's flexible and innovative approach to business and the professionalism of their crew has played an important role in helping us deliver a safe, reliable and cost-effective service to our clients. We look forward to building on this going forward as we continue to seek new and exciting opportunities in an exceptionally competitive marketplace."
Oilchart, 2016“[We would] like to thank you and the rest of the crew on the FS Aberdour for your assistance, positive attitude and total flexibility during the last 5/6 weeks since we started this Project. The communication has been invaluable with all the challenges that have faced us. Thank you very much for your assistance, you’re all a credit to your team on-board the FS Aberdour and also Fletcher Group.”
Centrica, June 2017“It was a pleasure to work with all of you, especially when the project is completed without any operation issue on the fluids / cement / waste management side. It was a great success to complete this.”
Perenco, August 2017“I cannot thank you enough for the work that you have done for us, all credit to you and your crew. I will be passing back some very positive comments. On behalf of both the Standard Princess and her crew and also the Standard Supplier, I appreciate all your help.”
Centrica, November 2017"[We] would like to take the opportunity to thank you and your Team for the level of support that you have given us with both vessels through this campaign. The vessel Masters and crews have been an absolute credit to your organisation and I would look forward to working with Fletcher Group again in the future if this is the manner in which you conduct your business.
I would like to wish you all every success and I am sure that we will work again in the not-too-distant future."
Ineos, July 2018It has been a please working with you! Thank you for your support the past few months and th flexible attitude of your crew. This was much appreciated by our team.
Allseas, February 2019