Commencing in July 2017, AOS provided a team of Tow masters for the tow of Shell’s Prelude FLNG facility from Geoje South Korea to North West Australia.  Upon arrival AOS Mooring Masters controlled the hook up and heading control phases in the field.

The tow was performed by four tugs and on arrival in the field the tugs were reconfigured for the hook up phase of the operation. This involved three tugs on the bow and three on the stern to allow 16 pre-positioned mooring chains to be lifted from the seabed and secured to the facility.

Following this the tugs were reconfigured again for the heading control phase. Four tugs were hooked up on the stern and  to allow installation of the subsea risers and umbilicals.

By December the heading control phase was completed and the tugs were disconnected. Prelude now freely weather vanes.

AOS Captain Mark Bliss was involved in all stages of the tow, hook up and heading control.  “All phases were completed with no injuries or incidents recorded” commented Captain Bliss, “this was a testament to the professionalism of all of those involved on the project”.