The world-class simulation facility will enable the PHPA to optimise its marine operating procedures, and provide for the professional development and training of individual pilots, tug masters and port staff.

The facility has a vessel traffic services (VTS) simulator plus six real time ship simulation bridges (including four dedicated tug bridges), that deliver advanced site familiarisation and scenario based emergency and failure training for Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) personnel, pilots and tug masters.

The PHPA Harbour Master and General Manager of Operations, Captain John Finch, welcomed the commissioning of the upgraded facilities. “This facility will enable our Marine Operations team to train within a world leading simulation facility and to safely enhance our operational performance. The facility will also allow the PHPA to undertake more thorough assessments of towage requirements and the designs of future marine facilities at the port.”

The Ocean Ranger has a 500-ton lift capacity and can achieve a lift rating of up to 740 tons for heavier cargo. As a fully mobile barge crane, the Ocean Ranger is designed primarily for heavy project cargo lifts to and from breakbulk vessels but can also lift cargo on barges, railcars, trucks and container vessels.

 The SC Ports Authority invested in the construction of the Ocean Ranger to ensure priority access and dedicated service over the life of the crane for Port of Charleston terminals. It is owned and operated by Charleston Heavy Lift, Inc.

“The Ocean Ranger is the newest asset in the Charleston Harbor,” said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. “It brings a new capability to meet the needs of our customers who transport their breakbulk and non-container project cargo across our docks.”  

Ocean Ranger boasts a LOA of 200 feet and a 162-feet long lifting boom. Certified by the American Bureau of Shipping and offshore-capable, the crane has the functionality to be used for salvage and recovery projects outside of the Charleston Harbor.

“We look forward to supporting breakbulk cargo operations and offering ocean carriers the benefit of our expanded services,” said Charleston Heavy Lift General Manager Bos Smith.

The crane barge was locally manufactured by Metal Trades, Inc. at their shipyard in Yonges Island. Ocean Ranger will be docked on the Cooper River near Veterans Terminal. 

The three year contract is for the supply of 3.3m x 6.5m Yokohama original pneumatic fenders. Fendercare Marine has supplied 18 of the fenders to date, with potentially more to follow. Fendercare Marine has been working closely with the MOD to design a protective tyre net which would not only be non-marking to the ship’s hull but would provide minimal fender maintenance issues.

Fendercare Marine has been a supplier of fenders and marine hardware to the MoD since 1999 and also supports navies throughout the world, winning a $29 million contract with the US Navy in 2012. From a base in the Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth, their Naval Solutions division also provides fabrication, welding and coating services for the MoD, having worked on nuclear submarines, warships and naval support vessels.

Sonia Crane, Fendercare Marine Sales Manager commented “We are delighted to have secured this contract with the Ministry of Defence. Our 15 year relationship with the MoD is one that we really treasure and this contract is further evidence of our commitment to supplying reliable and innovative products, supported by excellent customer service.”

The contract will see MacGregor deliver complete equipment packages comprising electric pole-changing winches, steering gear, air compressors, hatch covers and variable frequency drive (VFD) electric cranes, four per ship.

The packages include equipment from combined MacGregor Hatlapa portfolio.”The new contract was won as a direct result of our strengthened capability for larger delivery scope and a long standing relationship with the owner,” says Jörg Tollmien, Head of Sales for Hatlapa offering at MacGregor.

“It is also a good example of what our combined product ranges can offer customers, particularly in cases such as this where an extensive scope of deck equipment is required for multiple ships,” Tollmien notes.