Britlift has supplied a modular spreader beam to the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Sir David Attenborough, enhancing the vessel’s lifting capabilities.
The RRS Sir David Attenborough, operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), is a polar research ship facilitating scientific studies in polar regions. The vessel is equipped with facilities for oceanic, seafloor, ice, and atmospheric research.
Known for its £200m investment and the public’s choice to name one of its remotely operated vehicles Boaty McBoatFace, the ship operates in the Arctic during the northern summer and in Antarctica during the southern hemisphere summer. It supports BAS research stations by transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies.
The 129m-long ship features a 50-tonne crane for handling goods and equipment, including vehicles exceeding 30 tonnes.
Explaining the need for lifting stability, British Antarctic Survey technical superintendent Andrew Webb said: “When lifting vehicles with the crane, we need to lift from four points to ensure stability. We use spreader beams to spread the load and ensure we can connect to the right points on the vehicle to lift it safely.
“We can be lifting quite heavy plant equipment like loading shovels or dozers. We purchased a new loading shovel that was one the biggest and heaviest vehicles we’ve ever bought and was too heavy for our existing beam.
“We decided to invest in a modular beam as it enables us to easily change the length depending on what we’re lifting. It is very quick and easy to add or remove sections, making it versatile and user-friendly for lifting lots of our vehicles and equipment.”
Britlift’s Traditional Modular spreader beam comes in standard sizes suitable for diverse applications.
Webb added: “On any ship, space is at a premium. Having a modular system rather than a set of lifting beams is an obvious advantage. And the real beauty of this modular spreader is that it is very easy to store as it breaks down into 1m sections.”
Britlift, based in Dorset, UK, serves a global clientele with comprehensive lifting equipment engineering services. The company provides design, manufacture, certification, and rig design services, ensuring efficient and safe solutions tailored to client needs.
