Bahamas big boy

In 2006, Emmert International took the installation of a fully assembled and operational low-speed diesel engine, weighing nearly one million pounds, into an existing power plant in Nassau, Bahamas.

The first challenge was getting the MAN B&W low-speed diesel engine and all of the needed equipment from the Port of Houston in Texas to the Clifton Pier Power Station in Nassau. There would not have been enough time to get any additional equipment shipped from the US once rigging operations had started.

Once the plan was completed, all the equipment was collected and placed on the MV Sea Island, a roll-on/roll-off vessel. The engine was transferred from a heavy-lift ship to a 10 axle self propelled trailer on the deck. BoThengine and trailer were then lashed to the deck. Once at Clifton Pier and safely moored, the engine was driven off the ship to the entrance of the power plant.

On arrival at the power plant, Emmert's crews began positioning the engine and equipment for the rigging operation. This included having to reposition the engine three feet higher on the trailer to clear some of the beams going in next to the engine. An 85 foot section of gantry rail had to be slid into position next to the engine under the walkway platform on each side. This rail section had to have part of its bracing placed directly on the trailer. The jacks for the gantry lift inside the building had to be lifted over the engine and into the building for placement. The towers wound up being placed narrower than the trailer on which the engine was resting. With the towers installed, the header beams were maneuvered into position, which included two 60 foot main beams.

The lifting straps were then installed, with crews ensuring that all 12 lifting points were equally loaded. The gantry was then raised to clear the engine's foundation. Once clear, the gantry rolled further into the building. The crew then set the engine into place on the foundation.

Emmert's project team spent six months planning the transport and arranging for customs clearance for the equipment. Daily tool-box talks were held to go over safety procedures and proper equipment use and additional safety meetings were held before each major operation.