Niigata engine overhaul was one of the more challenging and interesting projects that was provided by Raduga Shipping. With prelimary plans to switch the stationary main engine found in tugboat Raduga Lyon, for a newer, more effective one imported from India, it was courageos to say the least.
First came the unique unloading of the imported engine in our warehouse, requiring out of the box solutions to support the ship engine weight (23 tons). As our warehouse carrying capacity was rated for only 10 tons, we decided to cut out an oval hole at the top of the warehouse and get a heavy lifting crane outside to be able to lift of the diesel engine out of the shipping container. The moment was tense, but our decision was succesful and the engine was safely secured.
Then came the inspection of the engine. Our experienced personel tackled the Niigata diesel engine with great precision and in short time were able to dismount the engine in parts for inspection and neccesiary cleaning. After the inspection, the parts were put together back safely and surely, awaiting for the imminent engine switch.
In some time, the plans changed and the engine swap was a no go. Instead of changing the whole block of the engine, it was decided to switch the old components of the engine with the new ones. New challenges arrived, as problems such as the positioning of the turbine on the stationary engine was different to the newer one. But with our experience in the ship engine repair world, we solved this and other problems without too much hassle, and after installing the more efficient parts, partaking in sea trial, the engine was found to be quite effective, increasing the vessel’s speed from 12 knots up to 15 knots, making the client hopefully satisfied with our work!