Chinese Manned Submersible in Record-breaking Dive

Mounted on the stern of the mother ship Xiangyanghong9, the Caley A-frame is used to both launch and recover the Jiaolong manned submersible, weighing 22 tons. The hydraulically-operated A-frame lifts and pivots to position the Jiaolong above the water before lowering it, during recovery the process is reversed. In addition to winches to lower and raise the submersible, Caley has supplied two bespoke oceanographic winches for handling scientific instruments for ocean bed research, and these too are deployed using the Caley A-frame.

Caley Ocean Systems worked with its long-term Chinese agent, Laurel Technologies, on the supply of the A-frame and winch systems for the Xiangyanghong9 vessel. The company is also upgrading the US Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's (WHOI) R/V Atlantis research vessel's A-frame handling system, for the launch and recovery of the new 'Alvin' deep submergence vehicle.

Originally designed and installed in 1983, the Caley A-frame has withstood the test of time. The upgraded A-frame will handle the heavier Alvin submersible, capable of descending to 6,500m (21,000ft), and involves the installation of a larger winch, high performance synthetic ropes and light tension control system, providing accurate handling control of the submersible.

In Korea, Caley has been awarded a contract to supply oceanographic winches and A-frame systems to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for a new oceanographic research vessel. This vessel is capable of surveying to the full ocean depth 10,000m (32,808ft). Caley is providing bespoke oceanographic winches designed to handle high tension, heavy loads, featuring ‘SMART’ control systems for fully active heave compensation and variable frequency drives, and a CTD Rosette handling system.

The HHI research vessel will feature high performance, stern and side Caley A-Frame systems for seabed drilling and coring equipment.  The handling systems will comply with the new DNV rules on Lifting Appliances.