SMP Builds Wet Bell LARS for Bergen University

Submarine Manufacturing and Products (SMP) has secured a contract with Norwegian company Alf Lea to supply a complete wet bell system to Bergen University.

Alf Lea approached SMP to design and manufacture a wet bell launch and recovery system (LARS) with supporting 20ft DNV containerized machinery and dive control.

All aspects of the project are designed, manufactured and tested at the workshop site located in Preston Lancashire.

The wet bell LARS has been designed to operate within a compact footprint to minimise the required operational deck space on board a vessel or barge. The wet bell LARS is IMCA D023 and D018 compliant and has third party design approval by Lloyds Register, SMP ads.

The dive control container is outfitted with a steel floor and divided into two sections designated as the dive control area and the machinery area. The machinery area is fitted with two hot water machines. The first machine acts as a primary supply to the diver the feed of which from a submersible sea water pump, and the secondary machine is fresh water vessels providing a stored source of hot water should a fault arise.

Mark Peloe, sales executive at SMP, said: “SMP were delighted to have the opportunity to work with Alf Lea on such a prestigious project. It was apparent from the outset that this was going to be a bespoke design to allow compliance with the clients list of requirements. The in house design team at SMP worked closely with Alf Lea and Bergen University to produce a design and supporting visual presentations to enable the client to “see” the system before manufacturing. Our years of experience working with commercial clients and other dive schools meant SMP were the obvious choice to see this project from concept to conclusion.”