CUSTOMER: P&O Stena Line

PROBLEM: A stud broke on a cylinder head of the engine on the P & O Stena Line ‘Provence’ passenger ferry, standard methods of removal failed.

SOLUTION:  Furmanite was called in by internationally renowned ship repair company A & P, to apply its spark erosion technique as the ferry travelled from Dover to Calais and back. The M56 stud had broken during normal main engine operation. Furmanite technicians were able to set up the portable spark erosion equipment and the graphite electrode disintegrated a centre section of the very hard, chrome/moly, stud, allowing the remaining section to be pulled away.

Spark erosion has traditionally been a static, workshop procedure. And, whilst a number of on-site techniques do exist for stud removal, restricted head room or very tough materials generally stop them being applicable. Spark erosion overcomes the problem of hard materials and Furmanite’s new portable kit allows operations to take place on-site and on-line.

OUTCOME: The job was completed within 24 hours whilst the ferry was in transit across the Channel.  There was no disruption or delay to the ferry service.