GAC offshore services prepare tanker for onwards voyage to Russia

Helsinki, Finland: November 12, 2014(STAT):- When the Teekay oil tanker ‘Stena Alexita’ dropped anchor off Helsinki on her way to Russian Baltic port of Primorsk, GAC Finland were kept busy with a list of crew services and more.

Over a period of ten days, a dedicated team of GAC professionals took care of 38 joining and departing crew, taking advantage of the fluent EU immigration procedures available and the conveniently located of Helsinki Airport. They also arranged hotel reservations, embarking/disembarking technicians, removal and disposal of waste, and deliveries of provisions and spare parts.

As the vessel was at anchorage, it all had to be done using launches from ship-to-shore. Cruise Agency Manager Arttu Kähönen says that because the launch they usually use was undergoing repairs, other craft had to be arranged from a different fleet. Thanks to good relations with a flexible launch provider, the solution was found.

“Although making all the arrangements to deal with 700kg of provisions and waste management offshore is quite a challenge, perhaps the toughest issue was a human one,” he adds. “During her stay, it emerged the ‘Stena Alexita’ needed the services of a Compass Adjustor. Although there are very few such technicians in Finland, our contacts in the local pilot community helped us find one who was willing to drive the 180km from Turku at short notice to make the necessary adjustments.”