1969-1974 Smit - Lloyd
Smit Lloyd history in brief.
The first truly European supply vessel was probably designed by the Dutch company Smit-Lloyd, who were incredibly innovative in 1965. They had a 60 meter ship built by Scheepswerf DE Hoop of Lobith. This vessel had two tall funnels set just aft of the bridge, keeping them well clear of the sea. It was fitted with two 1500 bhp engines, making it extremely powerful. It was the Smit-Lloyd 1. The company continued to build identical ships until they got to 18 in 1969, and there-after the first numeral of the name usually designated horsepower, so the next class when they were built started with the figure 4. (Extract from "The History of the Supply Ship"). Smit-Lloyd continued to build until well into the 1980s, and possibly the last ships to join their fleet were two UT 704s in 1985. The company was purchased in its entirety by Seacor who operated some of the ships for a while. They also disposed of a number of the fleet and some became pat of the Smit organization.
Begin 1968 wordt de SL 3 uitgerust met een werk / sleeplier en A-frame en gaat ze werken vanuit Stavanger voor de Drillship.
1970-1971: Smit Loyd 14, Fremantle, Port Hedland, Broome, Australia
A trip to Australia was high on my list. In the early 70th I flew to Australia, at that time it took about 31 hours from Amsterdam to Perth in West Australia. Staying overnight in the Captain Fremantle hotel and in the morning to the local airport and by helicopter to the location of the Ocean Digger. After landing on the helipad I was dropped with a basket on the deck of the Smit Lloyd 14.
December 1970 the SL 12 and 14 leave Adelaide with the Ocean Digger in tow for the East coast with Fremantle as the supply harbor. I came on board the SL 12 in February.
In Fremantle we got an Australian crew on - board, the officers remained Dutch. The crew, a bunch of ex convicts after all a good crew to work with and a lot of fun.
In April we left with the Ocean Digger in tow for the Northern Territories with Broome as supply harbor and an occasional trip to Port Hedland
A trip to Australia was high on my list. In the early 70th I flew to Australia, at that time it took about 31 hours from Amsterdam to Perth in West Australia. Staying overnight in the Captain Fremantle hotel and in the morning to the local airport and by helicopter to the location of the Ocean Digger. After landing on the helipad I was dropped with a basket on the deck of the Smit Lloyd 14.
December 1970 the SL 12 and 14 leave Adelaide with the Ocean Digger in tow for the East coast with Fremantle as the supply harbor. I came on board the SL 12 in February.
In Fremantle we got an Australian crew on - board, the officers remained Dutch. The crew, a bunch of ex convicts after all a good crew to work with and a lot of fun.
In April we left with the Ocean Digger in tow for the Northern Territories with Broome as supply harbor and an occasional trip to Port Hedland
The Semi Submersible "Ocean Digger" on the West Coast of Australia. First working of the coast of Fremantle, mostly in lovely weather and calm seas. When at anchor on location we sometimes picked up anchor early in the morning and hauled a few lobster pots on board (highly illegal). The huge lobsters were cooked in a large pot of water and whiskey making a delicious meal.
The Ocean Digger on location.
1970.
Op 24 mei vertrekt de SL 9 uit Den Helder en gaat naar Cork om voor de Glomar North Sea te gaan werken. Oktober weer terug in Den Helder en sinds 1 december is het Great Yarmouth geworden.
Op 24 mei vertrekt de SL 9 uit Den Helder en gaat naar Cork om voor de Glomar North Sea te gaan werken. Oktober weer terug in Den Helder en sinds 1 december is het Great Yarmouth geworden.
Smit Lloyd 9
Smit Lloyd 9 in Rotterdam
Smit-Lloyd , I came on board of the "9" in New Newfoundland. After getting a call from the office in Rotterdam, first thing I did is to look t the map. It looked pretty cold to me. I had heard stories already about towing icebergs in that area so I was prepared for my next trip.
Another adventure, after which I was promoted to Chief Engineer. The weather in New Newfoundland did not appeal to me at all. Our home base was St. John's.
From one of the inhabitants: The sea is very cold and violently, with waves crashing on cliffs and rocks. The ocean is where people work. In fishing villages and small towns along the coast,.the houses don't even face the water. They face inland, because the sea is something fearsome. For the people in New Newfoundland it is kind of a love/hate relationship. The ocean is terrifying.
I can understand that very well. It is not the most hospitable place on earth. Most of the time the harbor of St John's was frozen, with ice all over the ship . The engines had to be started about 4 hours in advance, just to heat up the oil and get the engine on running temperature. Sailing out of the harbor crushing through the ice always grabbed my attention. Once outside the harbor in full force gale it was back to normal again. Sailing in a zig-zag course to spot any icebergs floating around an being a possible hazard to the oil-rig.
On my tour we never spotted one, but the weather always remained in my memory. I recall one day that we had to stay in port because of the high waves up to 60 feet. After a few hours our agent came on board and said, ok guys you can go out now because the waves are only 40 feet high, and out we went.
Another adventure, after which I was promoted to Chief Engineer. The weather in New Newfoundland did not appeal to me at all. Our home base was St. John's.
From one of the inhabitants: The sea is very cold and violently, with waves crashing on cliffs and rocks. The ocean is where people work. In fishing villages and small towns along the coast,.the houses don't even face the water. They face inland, because the sea is something fearsome. For the people in New Newfoundland it is kind of a love/hate relationship. The ocean is terrifying.
I can understand that very well. It is not the most hospitable place on earth. Most of the time the harbor of St John's was frozen, with ice all over the ship . The engines had to be started about 4 hours in advance, just to heat up the oil and get the engine on running temperature. Sailing out of the harbor crushing through the ice always grabbed my attention. Once outside the harbor in full force gale it was back to normal again. Sailing in a zig-zag course to spot any icebergs floating around an being a possible hazard to the oil-rig.
On my tour we never spotted one, but the weather always remained in my memory. I recall one day that we had to stay in port because of the high waves up to 60 feet. After a few hours our agent came on board and said, ok guys you can go out now because the waves are only 40 feet high, and out we went.