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on, we invest in our operational resources because a repair yard can not work if their equipment is not accurately main-tained and on the current technical stan-dard. Our new owner Star Capital believes in this view as well. Combine tradition with nowadays knowledge and you are top of the Bill!What do you count as the most interesting or challenging ship repair job you and your company has ever been involved? PilaarThe two most interesting and challenging repair jobs in the last yearswere the conversion of KRAKA to DAN SWIFT for Lauritzen Tankers and the lengthening of the cruise vessels BAL- MORALl and BRAEMAR for Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines. When the KRAKA docked late 2007 at Blohm + Voss Repair, a long, demanding conversion program awaited the vessel, turning it from an uncompleted cable lay-erinto an ocean going, dynamically posi-tioned accommodation and supportvessel. Shipbuilding work included the addi- tion of over 1,600 tons of steel, pulling of 400 km cables and the instalment of 40km of new piping. Accommodations for 291 were createdalong with all facilities such as galleys, provision rooms, messes, laundries, recreation, cinema and fitness rooms as well as a swimming pool. New ship op- erations kit included a new bridge, engine control centers, workshops, a HVAC plant, and fire fighting, sprinkler, CO2 and water mist systems. Amongst further sophisticated equipment, the vessel re- ceived three new azimuth thrusters, off- shore gangways, a helicopter deck, dy- namic positioning, integrated navigation, thruster control and power management systems. After completing the staggering program, the vessel, now renamed DAN SWIFT by its owner J. Lauritzen, left Eu- rope to commence a new life working ad- jacent to fixed structures, platforms and floating units in Brazil?s new offshore oil and gas fields, where she supplies ac- commodation, hook-up, ommissioning,start-up, maintenance, light constructionand crane support.In November 2007 the cruise ship BALMORAL (ex Norwegian Crown) was docked at Blohm + Voss Repair to be lengthened by a new mid-body section of 30.2 meters. In January 2008 the completed cruiseship left Blohm + Voss, now with in- creased length and passenger capacityheading to Southampton where the cruiseship was handed over to her owner. In May 2008 the BRAEMAR (ex Crown Dynasty) was docked the get the same treatment as BALMORAL. The cruise ship was cut in two pieces in order to be lengthened also by a new mid-body sec- tion on 31.2 meters. Besides this, 18 bal-conies were installed and the restauranton Deck 8 was completely renovated. What was proved with BALMORAL fits also the BRAEMAR and the cruise shipwith an increased capacity of 988 pas-sengers left Blohm + Voss Repair on July 2, 2008, within time and within budget again exactly what our clients expect from us what we deliver. August 2012www.marinelink.com 47rd (ASRY) Ether). Following the vessel being de- clared a CTL (Constructive Total Loss), Holland?s Smit Salvage was awarded the salvage contract. Then began the delicate task of discharging the cargo, fuel oil and ballast water. The Kingdom of Bahrain was one of only two Arabian Gulf nations to provide a port of refuge for this ves- sel, the other being the Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia. Bahrain was identified as the best destination for Stolt Valor due to the technical capabilities ofboth the General Organization of Sea Ports (GOP), as a regulator and su- pervisor of maritime safety and envi- ronmental matters in Bahrain, and ofASRY?s capabilities and expertise as a world renowned shiprepair yard. Stolt Valor arrived at ASRY on June 28, 2012, where a thorough safety in-spection took place prior to any fur- ther investigation to ensure the vessel had no outstanding safety concerns.She was then transferred alongside the yards new 1.38km Repair Quay Wall where a detailed inspection and investigation was carried out in con- junction with the vessel?s owners to determine the best course of action.This has now been completed and ASRY is awaiting a decision from the owners as to whether the tanker will be repaired, or made seaworthy for towing to a ship breakers. MR#8 (42-49):MR Template 8/9/2012 9:40 AM Page 47