Oil Support Vessel

Project Overview

Apollo Cradles were commissioned to provide a bespoke access solution for the Irish Sea Pioneer, a jack-up support vessel servicing oil platforms in the UK’s North Sea sector. After 18 years in operation, the vessel’s 240ft (73.2m) jack legs required extensive repair and maintenance.

The vessel’s electrically driven jacking system raises and lowers its four triangular lattice legs to the seabed, then elevates the vessel to its working height. With the vessel docked, Apollo was tasked with designing a platform system that enabled full-height access to each leg’s complex geometry.

Project Scope

To meet the challenge, Apollo deployed a tailored solution using its standard X-Beam system, configured into triangular platforms to wrap around each leg. Key features included:

  • Triangular platform frames providing 360° access to all three sides of each lattice leg
  • Suspended rig system mounted at the top of each leg, enabling vertical travel of the platform via wire suspension
  • Lightweight modular components for ease of assembly and safe operation within dock constraints
  • Capacity for four operatives, ensuring efficient workflow and compliance with safety protocols
  • Client Objective: Repair and maintenance of jack leg gears
  • Apollo Scope: Provide full-height access for four operatives to 100% of each leg’s surface