25/11/2025
SEA RANGER Enters Dry Dock in Tuzla
🛳️ On 25 October 2025, Witherbys’ research and explorer vessel MV SEA RANGER moved into the floating dry dock at Desan Shipyard for reactivation after three years laid up. Our new video takes you behind the scenes of this complex operation, from entry of the vessel into the dry dock to departure preparations, and highlights some of the unexpected challenges the team faced along the way.
The early stages of reactivation showcase the detailed planning and marine knowledge involved. The floating dry dock was sunk to the required depth by adjusting the water level in its ballast wing tanks before SEA RANGER was carefully secured on supporting blocks and pinned with custom-hinged struts. Maintenance and repair work followed, including hull hydro blasting, preparation for painting and ongoing attention to the 2.4-metre control pitch propeller, with the rudder removed and the tailshaft readied for extraction. At the same time, the team prepared a detailed document capturing the vessel’s arrival condition to ensure that the departure condition mirrors it as closely as possible, guaranteeing a safe and stable return to the water.
🔗 Follow the SEA RANGER in action on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U-TtyDUcGU
