After 13 years in service, a customer in Singapore engaged THREE60 Energy to extend the operational life of its submarine rescue Launch and Recovery System (LARS).
Originally delivered by THREE60 in 2009, the system required an extensive programme of engineering, refurbishment and testing to ensure it remained fit for purpose for a further 10 years.
Challenge
After more than a decade of operation, a number of age-related issues were identified during the works. Both glands on the luffing cylinders had seized and required removal and re-machining, while all four pins on the main luffing cylinders had corroded and needed to be removed.
As the luffing cylinders are critical to the safe movement of the LARS during launch and recovery, the work needed to restore their condition while minimising disruption to other vessel activities.
Solution
THREE60 managed the engineering scope, developed the lifting and removal plans and provided an on-site Service Manager in Singapore throughout the 16-week programme to oversee local subcontractors and ensure work was completed to original equipment manufacturer specifications.
New cylinder glands were manufactured locally before the cylinders were rebuilt and tested. The corroded pins were removed using thermal lancing, while a temporary engineered strut designed by THREE60 maintained the rigidity of the A-frame while the cylinders were removed, allowing the vessel to continue with other sea trials during the repair programme.
Result
The refurbished A-frame was successfully returned to service on time and within budget, with the work extending the operational life of the submarine rescue LARS for a further 10 years.
The programme demonstrated THREE60’s ability to combine original equipment knowledge, engineering and through-life support to maintain critical defence equipment long after initial delivery.
