Our annual visitor MV Havengore returned to Fox's on Wednesday for a survey ashore and some routine maintenance work. Whilst her return is nothing extraordinary, the many hours of preparation and planning that go into getting her safely laid-up ashore should not be underestimated!
Starting with the passage down river from her home at St Katharine Docks, Havengore makes her way up through the Thames estuary sandbanks and on into Harwich Harbour. On arrival at Fox's, her original twin Gardner engines and stern gear are put through controlled river trials to establish any required service work.
Once a suitable weather and tide window is agreed upon, crew and staff are briefed, and checks on Fox's 70-tonne hoist are completed. The custom 3000kg lifting beam is then lowered into the lift dock, and with the help of a five-person dive team on site, Havengore is carefully positioned over the beam and gently lifted clear of the water.
This feat wouldn't be possible without the help of Havengore's crew, Red 7 inshore dive services and Fox's skilled marina and yard team, who went the extra mile once again to ensure this historic vessel is once again safely ashore for survey and work to commence.
