Page 23 - Signal Winter 2019

Images of the L.E. George Bernard Shaw during construction in the UK.
| FROM CONCEPT TO DELIVERY |
programme represented a Civil / Military collaboration which was completed over a period of 25 months whilst deployed overseas in Appledore, Devon, United Kingdom. The build programme consisted of the following milestones:
1. Cutting of steel,
2. Laying the keel,
3. Floatout,
4. Fitout,
5. Builders and Owners Sea Trials
6. Delivery.
To achieve these milestones and ultimately delivery, I as Onsite Project Manager oversaw all elements within the onsite project, which can translate into four core elements:
1. Construction.
2. Outfitting.
3. Commissioning Trials.
4. Delivery of L.É. George Bernard Shaw.
The initial phase of the deployment consisted deploying to site, site induction, setting up of the project office, establishing lines of communication, agreeing to an inspection and reporting procedure, clearly defining responsibilities and authorisations for both parties, plan approval procedures, a document exchange system for the supply of information between both parties and liaising with Classification Society “Lloyds Register” Onsite Surveyor. This period also consisted of intense quality assurance in regard to material, equipment and build procedures. All purchase orders were reviewed throughout to ensure accuracy of the material and equipment specification as detailed in the building contract. This included, but is not limited to, hull steel, pipe work, machinery installations etc. In some cases, for example with the main engines, site visits were conducted for the purpose of factory acceptance trials (FAT) throughout Europe. In addition documentation / certification checks and site inspections were completed at all stages of build. Such inspections include the inspection of all structural fabrication procedures, non- destructive examination (NDE), system installations, equipment fit out, painting, furnishing etc. Due to the military nature of some equipment required onboard the Naval Service supplied its own equipment to be fitted by the shipyard, this equipment was known as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE).
Outfitting, as part of the ship building programme the ship was built utilising the “advanced fitout” system which insured that all major components and systems had been fitted prior to Floatout. Upon Floatout the Naval Service deployed 5 NCO specialist technicians, consisting of Engine Room Artificer, Electrical Artificer, Radio and Radar Technician, Mechanican and Seaman (Bosun). Due to the fast pace of the outfitting stage, completed external to the dry dock, these specialist on a daily basis were tasked in accordance with the build programme with the overseeing of all machinery, electrical, system, paint, spare parts package and furnishing inspections. This allowed me to attend all commissioning procedures for equipment and systems as well as ensuring that all documentation and standards were met prior to delivery in order to insure compliance with classification society rules, safety of life at sea rules, International Maritime Organisation “Maripol Convention” and Irish State legal requirements.
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