(ROTTERDAM, Netherlands) — Radio Holland has successfully completed two major bridge refit contracts on behalf of Holland America Line. These bridge retrofits carried out by Radio Holland USA on Holland America Line’s cruise ships Oosterdam and Prinsendam, followed refit work on M/S Noordam and Westerdam in 2014 and 2015.
The bridge refit on board M/S Oosterdam was concluded in Palermo, Sicily in early May. Then just days later Radio Holland continued with a bridge upgrade project for M/S Prinsendam, which took place in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Rob van den Hof, nautical superintendent of technical operations from Holland America Line, said, “Both bridge retrofits for Oosterdam and Prinsendam were highly customized projects which each required their own specific approach. The expertise and project management skills of Radio Holland ensured completion within a limited time frame. Result is a seamless integration with existing systems while providing the additional functionality of the latest Furuno navigation equipment.”
Jamie Futch, project engineer based in Radio Holland’s office in Jacksonville, Fla., said, “Given that these two important Holland America Line projects were so close together, it was a considerable logistical challenge. We made sure we had the same project team on the spot to maximize efficiency and consistency."
“We had a maximum of two weeks to complete the work as the ships were in dry dock. In the case of Prinsendam, passengers were on board so we couldn’t afford even the smallest delay. To ensure the project could run seamlessly, all the factory acceptance tests took place in the U.S. before the equipment was shipped to the yards.”
Radio Holland and Holland America Line’s relationship goes back many years. Radio Holland technicians are very familiar with the Holland America Line vessels due to conducting maintenance on the navcom equipment for many years. “I think this is one reason why Holland America Line chose us. They also know we have a solid project department able to perform these large-scale upgrades in such a short amount of time,” Futch said.
Radio Holland’s scope of work on the ships comprised system’s integration, engineering, installation, testing and training. The company also provided additional equipment including an upgrade of the auto-pilot interface with the propulsion system’s to deliver fuel savings. The bridge retrofit included: removal of the existing integrated bridge, all antennas and ECDIS computers, as well as design and installation of new console tops including wing consoles to accommodate new Furuno radars, ECDIS (main and backup), EMRI-designed Furuno autopilot with two controlling heads with track control, EMRI azipod propulsion interface, satellite speed log, two AIS and two GPS systems.
For more information, visit www.radioholland.com.
