Earlier this month, A&P Falmouth completed a multi-million-pound work programme on the largest passenger ship to visit the facility for more than 60 years.
This was Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ flagship ‘Bolette’, which can carry up to 1,338 pax and 645 crew.
‘Bolette’ entered drydock for a 13-day refurbishment, including maintenance to her Azipods and bow thrusters, as well as a new application of underwater paint.
Over 500 members of the A&P workforce and supply chain contractors worked around the clock to support this contract. Crucially, 32 apprentices also gained experience by working on the ‘Bolette’.
This is the second time in 12 months that Fred. Olsen has chosen to use A&P Falmouth, as the ‘Balmoral’ completed a docking in May last year. This included steel inserts, ship side valves, tunnel thruster overhaul and underwater paint work.
Mike Spicer, A&P Falmouth’s Managing Director, said: “A&P was delighted to welcome ‘Bolette’ to the facility – and facilitate a visit from Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen.
“The visit provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase our capabilities – A&P’s location in the south west makes it an ideal facility for cruise ships operating in this area.
“Contracts such as these make a significant economic contribution to the prosperity of the South West and helps to support our workforce and apprenticeship programme. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines over the months and years to come,” he said.
CEO, David McGinley, added; “It is fantastic to welcome Fred. Olsen’s ‘Bolette’ into A&P Falmouth.
“Projects such as these help us to sustain our workforce, apprenticeship programme and supply chain which drives prosperity and adds real social value to the South West of England.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, welcoming their cruise ships for drydockings across our Group,” he said.
Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, also said: “I would like to thank the team here at A&P Falmouth for taking good care of our flagship ‘Bolette’ during her time in drydock.
“Our ships and our team have a long standing relationship with the community of Falmouth. We know it is a port that our guests love to explore with us, and are looking forward to offering further visits this year.
“In addition, we are really pleased to be further supporting the Falmouth economy by working with the team at A&P to maintain and refurbish our ships, and in particular providing their apprentices with new experience and opportunity,” he concluded.
