Houlder recently deployed a team of three personnel to deliver a deadweight survey and inclining experiment following the refurbishment of Princess Cruises 290m Diamond Princess cruise vessel.

Diamond Princess began operation in 2004 and, today, primarily cruises in Asia during the summer and Australia in the winter season. She is a subclassed Grand Class ship, which is also known as a Gem Class ship. Diamond Princess and her sister ship, Sapphire Princess, are the widest subclass of Grand-class ships at 37.5 m (123 ft) beam. The diesel-electric plant of Diamond Princess has four diesel generators and a gas turbine generator. The gas turbine generator is used in areas, such as Alaska, where the emissions regulations are strict. Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess were both built in Nagasaki, Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The Houlder team travelled to Sembawang Dry Dock, Singapore (pictured) to conduct the deadweight survey prior to the ship leaving drydock and sailing to Marina Bay Cruise Terminal, a dedicated two-berth cruise facility at the southern tip of central Singapore. There, they carried out an overnight inclining experiment with 1500 crew safely sleeping in their cabins. 2670 passengers were to join the ship the following day prior to their dream holidays so, as is often the case in the Cruise industry, there were no second chances. A Princess Cruise Naval Architect witnessed the Inclining Experiment with the MCA surveyor and the work was completed to schedule.

Houlder is ideally placed to deploy suitably qualified and experienced naval architects to undertake deadweight survey and inclining experiment works in this way. They have a proven track record across a wide range of vessels including cruise vessels, passenger ferries and commercial tonnage. Our client base includes a wide range of owners and operators and we have direct experience of international centres of shipbuilding including Singapore, South Korea and China. The company’s long track record delivering deadweight surveys and incline experiments is combine with an up to date and detailed understanding of the required rules and regulations.