Introduction

Early in 2024 Spectrum was approached Harland & Wolff to provide welding expertise as part of their commitment to help deliver a £1.6bn Fleet Solid Support programme.

One of the biggest projects of its kind in Europe, Joe Fitzpatrick worked closely with the client throughout the entire process, as the only company in Europe able to offer specialised solutions for automated welding services. With Spectrum having the UK’s largest fleet of automated welding systems, we were able to support the customer with high-powered submerged arc tractor hire plant packages, used in a very specific way to gain an exact result, in the harshest of conditions.

The difficulty Spectrum faced was getting the equipment inside a sealed ship. We had to design a system that could not only gain access through extremely tight confined spaces and work out how to lower it in, but also work at extreme distances from a power supply, and the welder power source. We assisted with all procedural parameters for the PQR, working closely with DNV personnel in accordance with ISO 3834, to ensure all welding met procedural criteria and passed NDT. As part of our scope of supply, we liaised with all the Quality Assurance and Quality Control team members, metallurgists and the test laboratory, enabling the client to rest assured all work was being done correctly, and traceability certified.