I000 t deck superlift for RBS-8M drilling semi-submersible

A 25500 t semi-submersible drilling rig, the RBS-8M, was assembled on shore in the Hyundai Heavy Industries fabrication yard in Ulsan (Korea) during 1999. The major components-the two 6000 t hull pontoons and the 11000 t deck-were assembled at ground level and brought together to form the completed vessel during a period of only a few days. This was the first time such an operation on this scale had been attempted. This paper describes the design, construction and performance of the temporary structures that lifted the 11000 t deck to a height of 38 m above yard level. The lift is known as the RBS-8M 11000 t deck superlift.