Houlder has a growing reputation for pipe laying equipment. The Reel Skidding Drive System (RSDS), designed, engineered and constructed by Houlder to the client specification, consists of a skid frame, skid trolley and push beam. Weighing 75t, the modular RSDS receives a loaded cassette reel of flexible product, engages its drive system and then transports the unit 10 metres along the vessel deck to the product deployment position.

Key features include

• 4m x 10m Skid Trolley
• Tower and cradle arrangement.
• Supports two reel types of up to 150t each
• Two 30t hydraulic rams drive the trolley 10m
• Trolley is driven over the skid frame on 200t Hillman Rollers
• Lateral movement arrested by guides at all four corners of the skid frame.
• Easily reversed to pull back to loading position
• Flashing light and audible safety alarm
• Designed to operate at sea in all but storm conditions

The RSDS was developed, designed and fabricated in a total of sixteen weeks. The pipe laying equipment has now been deployed to South America for mobilisation on-board Aquatic’s end customer’s vessel. The relationship with Aquatic continues, with Houlder currently developing a modular Reel Carousel.