Houlder has announced that the installation of replacement masts on HMS Belfast by Russian shipyard workers has been successfully completed - two weeks ahead of the original schedule.

The new steel lattice masts replaced the fore mast and main mast from a 1957 refit that had become dangerously corroded. The replacements were built by Severnya verf shipyard St Petersburg and formed a gift from the Russian government. The gift commemorated HMS Belfast’s role in defending the vital wartime convoys that supported a beleaguered Soviet Union during the darkest days of World War Two.

The new masts, approximately 20m high, support  communication aerials,  radar arrays, navigation lights and signal halliards and formed a vital part of the ship’s fighting capability. Original structural drawings were supplied to the shipyard.  Dimensions were converted from imperial to metric. Houlder’s marine engineers measured and developed sketches to remanufacture many of the fittings where original drawings did not exist or could not be found. The large arrays and other equipment ensure the vessel is now complete in every detail.

By way of preparation, Houlder staff initially surveyed the ship structure and developed a plan for the mast removal and installation. The operation utilised a crane barge to remove and dispose of the old masts piece by piece. The new mainmast and foremast were carried by barge from Tilbury docks to the Belfast, where each of the 6 tonne units was lifted into position.

The process for both dismantling the old masts in sections and installing the new masts as complete structures was carefully planned by Houlder, taking into account tides, river traffic and public safety. The ship remained open to visitors during the programme with zoned off work areas securely maintained.

The work on board HMS Belfast was carried out by Russian shipyard workers under the supervision of HMS Belfast’s chief engineer and Houlder’s Project Manager. Over twenty welders, fitters and painters, together with their supervisors travelled to London for the project – many of whom were making their first visit to the capital.

The project recently featured on BBC television news - you can see the story here.