After the naming of the first aircraft carrier by the Queen earlier in the summer (we were not invited!) we have commenced work assisting with the unloading of the prefabricated sections for the second carrier which is to be built at Rosyth. The picture shows the barge loaded with a 5,000 tonne forward bow section that we are currently releasing prior to the barge being carefully “sunk” and the section floated off . 90% of the seafastenings are removed prior to the barge being moved to deep water where the final 10% are quickly cut. This is always a nerve wracking time as the 5,000 tonne section settles down with all sorts of groaning going as the final seafastening are cut through.
There is always a quick scampering back to the work boat once the final cuts are made and the valves are opened to lower the barge!