Walvis Bay synchrolift back in action

Walvis Bay’s synchrolift ship repair facility is back in action after a three-month, R18-million upgrade and repair. The synchrolift is used to lift vessels out of the water for maintenance or repair. The vessel is manoeuvred over a submerged cradle, which is then lifted by a set of synchronised hoists or winches. It is the first time in 40 years that the facility has been taken out of operation for extensive maintenance and upgrading. Speaking at the ceremony marking the reopening of the synchrolift, port engineer Elzevir Gelderbloem said 19 800 litres of “very expensive paint” had been used to protect the facility against the elements as “it is well known that Walvis Bay has one of the world’s most severe environments in terms of corrosion of metals.” CAPTION Vessels lifted out of the water by the synchrolift are a common sight from the streets of Walvis Bay.