World's biggest construction vessel visits Forth in weekend operation

Onlookers in Fife were treated to a spectacular sight at the weekend - as the world's largest construction vessel carried out an operation on the Forth.

Allseas' Pioneering Spirit - which measures 382 metres in length and is 124 metres wide - transferred its cargo of a topside drilling platform on to a 200-metre-long cargo barge, the Iron Lady, on Saturday.

Yesterday morning the Pioneering Spirit - which was specifically designed for the single-lift installation and removal of large offshore platforms, separated from the Iron Lady and the cargo barge was towed clear. The Pioneering Spirit then set off once more for the North Sea.

With its cargo safely secured to its deck, the Iron Lady was then towed westwards along the River Forth by Forth Ports’ tugs, the Craigleith, Inchkeith and Fidra, under the three Forth bridges before berthing alongside at the Port of Rosyth.

It is scheduled to remain moored at the Port of Rosyth for about six weeks before being towed back east along the river to the Energy Park Fife in Methil where its cargo will be unloaded for decommissioning.

The Iron Lady heading for Rosyth. Photo by Airbourne Lense.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports, said: "It was a truly spectacular sight to see this huge vessel offloading its cargo within our deep water on the River Forth.

"Watching the Iron Lady towed safely into the Port of Rosyth by our tugs against the backdrop of all three Forth crossings was a bit special too.

"However, we can expect to see sights like these more and more frequently as oil and gas decommissioning projects from the North Sea and elsewhere gather momentum.

"The Forth Estuary’s deep and sheltered water, alongside the decommissioning facilities on both the River Forth and River Tay, make this an ideal location for operations like this weekend’s."