Anchor-handling vessel on record-breaking feat

The Normand Ivan, a new anchor-handling vessel, was yesterday loading anchors and chains from the quay at Malta Shipbuilding before it embarks on its last trip of a contract.

One of the first of its type, the vessel was built six months ago and has already completed three trips.

With a gross tonnage of 4,600, a 20,000 bhp engine and measuring over 300 feet in length, it is carrying out the "biggest anchor-handling job ever" and is expected to enter the Guinness Book of World Records once the job is completed.

The Normand Ivan is dropping a mooring of nine anchors - each weighing 60 tonnes - for a big oil reservoir off Libya into which oil rigs pump their oil.

Each link in the anchor chains weighs 180 kilogrammes, Victor Zammit, a director of agents Zammit Group of Companies, said.

The anchors and chain were brought to Malta from Lisbon.

The chains are so heavy that, apart from the equipment on the vessel, shore cranes are also required. Zammit Group of Companies managed to secure the job for Malta Shipbuilding, Mr Zammit said.

A year ago it had also attracted other work for the 'yard - the building of the innovative oil rig for shallow waters, Alastair.