AOPS #2 has been moved to the basin. The launch will occur tomorrow morning, with the barge beginning to submerge at 4am. Shipyard staff are scheduled to board the ship at 2:45 to check tanks, and valves for leaks as the ship is lowered into the water.
Peter, I’m watching from Vimy Avenue. It looks as if the stern of the barge (bow of the AOPS#2) is submerging first. Is that correct or is it simply the angle I’m at? How long will the barge take to submerge?
yes, it goes down stern first, so they can check the prop shafts and rudders for leaks.