Ship equipment

LCVP Davits - Following safety concerns about the landing craft (LCVP) davits on HMS Ocean, Houlder was contracted to assess the system, its performance and capability. Having identified the shortcomings, Houlder was invited to quote for the supply of four replacement sets to an upgraded specification. This was successfully completed within eight months of the initial survey and in time for HMS Ocean to play a full part in a major tri-service exercise. The davits raise, lower and stow the landing craft used by the Royal Marines.

A-Frame and Towed Body Handling System - When the MoD needed a handling system to conduct trials of a novel towed body, Houlder was contracted to develop a concept and then to manufacture and set the system to work. The towed body was stowed in a steel cage suspended from an A-frame on the aft end of RMAS Newton and deployed and recovered using the cage, A-frame and the towing winch onboard the ship. The sequencing of all motions was controlled by a plc mounted in the new hydraulic powerpack.

PCRS Casualty Lift - The casualty lift within the PCRS facility on RFA Argus was designed and supplied by Houlder.

Salvage Winch - Developed to assist in the recovery of semi-precious cargoes from the holds of sunken ships, the winch was designed by Houlder, manufactured under subcontract and the installation supervised by Houlder site engineers.

Low Magnetic Handling and Stowage System - For use onboard Royal Navy mine countermeasures vessels, the stainless steel handling system was designed to handle and stow a free swimming underwater vehicle in the confined space of the upper deck of a ship.