HYDRO DECK

HYDRO DECK
Combining the very best in engineering
design, mooring analysis and high-end
fabrication, AG&P ALE Ventures Pty
Ltd delivers an innovative solution to
the offshore market to solve major
logistical challenges and remove
supply chain bottlenecks.
The first of its kind, the Hydro Deck has been designed
and built through the joint venture between AG&P, a
leader in integrated industrial process outsourcing and
ALE, one of the worlds leading engineering and heavy
lift companies.
The Hydro Deck is a transition pontoon that works in
conjunction with modular offloading facilities (MOF) for
on-shoring modules and infrastructure. Its innovative
design enables load-in operations for combined loads of
up to 17,000 metric tonnes, regardless of tidal conditions
or port facilities.

HYDRO DECK CONTROL ROOM

HYDRO DECK OVERVIEW

A mobile port solution, designed to serve as a bridging platform
from vessel to quayside, the Hydro Deck is utilised for global
projects faced with restricted offloading delivery windows due to
unpredictable high tidal variations and where local port facilities are
limited by scale or capability for a projects specifications.
The Hydro Deck transports and offloads fabricated modules in
adverse conditions, significantly increasing the availability of
delivery windows. Its unique tidal buoyancy adjustment system
provides clients with a greater range of ro-ro vessels and barges,
improving both availability and cost competitiveness. This feature
also allows the MOF to be built at higher elevations, therefore
reducing the gradient to site.
The landmark innovation can be provided on lease, fully crewed
with expert heavy lift operators, and, on completion of the load-in
phase, it can be towed away, reducing upfront capital expenditure
and environmental footprint.
The Hydro Deck offers our clients continuous offloading anywhere
in the world, 24/7.

ON BOARD SYSTEMS:
2.1 Ballast System
2.2 Air Ballast System
2.3 Ballast Stripping System
2.4 Hydraulic Valve System
2.5 Cooling Water System
2.6 Fuel Oil System
2.7 Lubricating & Hydraulic Oil Systems
2.8 Bilge Systems
2.9 Deaeration System
2.10 Fresh Water System
2.11 Sewage System
2.12 Hydraulic Mooring system
2.13 Hydraulic Ro-Ro Ramp system
2.13 Ventilation & Air Conditioning System

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS:
3.1 Power Generation
3.2 Main Switchboard, Control & Power Distribution
3.3 Main & Emergency Lighting System
3.4 AMS Control, Alarm & Monitoring System
3.5 Impressed Current Protection System
3.6 Navigation Aids System
3.7 Communications System
3.8 CCTV System

SAFETY SYSTEMS:
5.1 Fire Hydrant System
5.2 CO2 Fire Extinguishing System
5.3 Quick-Closing Valve System, Ventilation
Dampers & Emergency Stops
5.4 Fire Detection System
5.5 Fire Integrity Plan

HYDRO DECK
SAFETY ADVANTAGES

TIDE INDEPENDENT UNLOADING

SOLUTION - The Hydro Deck provides a
tide independent unloading solution.
In the event there are problems during
the ro-ro operations and the SPMT is
partly on the ship or quay, the Hydro
Deck can pump through the tide cycle
allowing for a maximum safe situation
for the problems to be rectified
without compromising the operation.
INTERNAL BALLAST SYSTEM - The
internal ballast system has been
designed with 100% redundancy.
The deck of the Hydro Deck is clear
of pumps, hoses and piping for
flexible SPMT configurations and
support stool locations. Internal
ballast systems are far more reliable
than external ballast systems because
they are protected from the elements
and permanently located, maintained
and tested on regulated intervals
inside the barge. External ballast

systems need assembly, testing and

disassembly time for each operation
and are susceptible to failure due to
the exposure to the elements.

FIXED RAMP SYSTEM ON EACH END The ramp system has been designed
for the maximum axle loads of the
strongest SPMTs on the market to
provide the safest possible ramp
solution. Their hydraulic capability
eliminates crane and/or forklift
work, which are often the cause of
an incident during a ro-ro operation.
This feature also limits the exposure
of the field personnel to the elements
by eliminating tasks.

HYDRO DECK GENERATORS 6X CATERPILLAR C18 480kW

HYDRO DECK BALLAST PUMPS 12x AZCUE 2000m3/hour

WATER BALLAST SYSTEM CONTROLS

HYDRO DECK AIRCOMPRESSOR UNITS 3X ATLAS COPCO ZA5 4000m3/hour

HYDRO DECK COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGES

CAPABILITY - 24 hours per day, 7 days per

week, which can drastically improve the
overall project schedule. Most of the Heavy
Lift Vessels (HLV) are tide dependent, limiting
unloading to 5-6 hours per day, sometimes
only certain days of the month. The Hydro
Deck eliminates the risk of costly demurrage
costs and allows the HLV to focus on its role
going back to the fabrication yard for another
load of modules.

EXTRA STORAGE AREA - The Hydro Deck

provides 5600m2 of storage space on the
deck of the barge to provide for the rapid
unloading and release of the delivery vessel.
This operation can take top priority to
eliminate the risk of demurrage and provide
the maximum output of the delivery vessel.

DECK STRENGTH - The Hydro Deck

has been designed for the delivery and
staging of modules using support stools and
SPMTs. With its 20t/m2 uniform deck loading
and the high strength of the bulkheads, rarely
will additional load spreading be required
to self unload a module more than a normal
support stool positioned by a forklift.

INCREASE IN COMPETITION - The Hydro Deck

makes any HLV suitable for the job. Not many
HLVs are capable of compensating for these
tides and their value to the project without
the Hydro Deck will be at premium rates.

HYDRO DECK ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES

The internal ballast system is a sealed

solution that enables water to be transferred
from tank to tank within the pontoon.
This eliminates the need to ballast water in
or out of the Hydro Deck when catering for
load transfer.

Tide compensation is achieved by utilising

the air system.

HYDRO DECK SERVICE TUNNEL

The service tunnel is an underdeck walkway between the two
pumprooms. Utilising two pumprooms and two control rooms
means that the Hydro Deck has 100% redundancy as one can take
over the whole operation in case of an emergency in the other.

HYDRO DECK AFT PUMPROOM

Technical Specifications
Type of vessel

Ro-ro pontoon for use in extreme tidal waters

Build

2013

Class notation

Lloyds Register, unmanned pontoon

FLAG

Singapore

Ro-ro ramps

Hydraulic operated ro-ro ramps on bow and stern

Principal dimensions

140/40/12m

Draft minimum (empty)

1.7/2.7m

Draft maximum

11.1m

Light weight

8500t

Dead weight capacity

32000t

Max deck load

20t/m2

Ballast system

:12 x 2000m3/hour water pumps

:3 x 4000m3/hour air compressors

Mooring system

:2/60t winches
:mooring cylinders

Certified to operate in Australian Territorial Waters

Fabricated under DAFF Biosecurity requirements.
Compliant with Australian AS 3000 and other design and
use-of-materials rules.
Designed and fabricated under Lloyds Register Class certification
to the highest safety and quality standards.

AG&P ALE Ventures offer the Hydro Deck and its team of specialists as part of
the full service solution available to clients worldwide.
Contact details:
Derek Thomas
derek.thomas@agp.ph
www.agp.ph

James Dunn
j.dunn@ale-heavylift.com
www.ale-heavylift.com

HYDRO DECK FWD PUMPROOM

Key
1 - Fuel Oil Day Tank
2 - Exhaust Silencer
3 - Main Generator
4 - Harbour Service Generator
5 - Air Ballast Compressor
6 - Starter Board Ballast Air
Compressor (Aft)
7 - Hydraulic Oil Tank
8 - Plate Cooler
9 - Sea Water Pumps
10 - Fresh Water Tank
11 - Fuel Oil Overflow Tank
12 - Fuel Oil Bunker Tank
13 - Sea Chest
14 - Sea Strainer
15 - Sludge Tank
16 - Ballast Pump
17 - 400V Ballast and Starter
Switchboard (Aft)
18 - Bilge Holding Tank
19 - Solenoid Box for Values
20 - Hydraulic Power Unit for Valves
21 - Sewage Tank
22 - Start Battery Cabinet
23 - Hydraulic Power Unit Mooring
24 - General 24V Supply Cabinet
25 - Control Room Switchboard
26 - Fuel Oil Transfer Pumps
27 - Hydrophore
28 - Bilge Pump
29 - Sewage Pump
30 - Fire Pump

Key
1 - Fuel Oil Day Tank
2 - Exhaust Silencer
3 - Main Generator
4 - Air Ballast Compressor
5 - Starter Board Ballast Air
Compressor (Forward)
6 - Plate Cooler
7 - Sea Water Pump
8 - Hydraulic Power Unit for Vales
9 - Solenoid Box for Valves
10 - Ballast Pump
11 - 400V Ballast and Starter
Switchboard (Forward)
12 - Sea Strainer
13 - Sea Chest
14 - Sludge Tank
15 - Bilge Holding Tank
16 - Start Battery Cabinet
17 - Hydraulic Power Unit Mooring
18 - General 24V Supply Cabinet
19 - Control Room Switchboard
20 - Bilge Pump and Oily Bilge Pump
21 - Fire Pump
22 - 400V/230V Transformer
23 - Fresh Water Cooling Pumps