HMS CAROLINE - CASE STUDY
should they ever come up in the future, with even more confidence.” William Coates completed a comprehensive M&E services installation on the iconic HMS Caroline. This included mains distribution coming from the dockside onto the ship and terminating in a new mains switchboard. General power was supplied throughout the ship - including power supply to the interactive displays - as well as general and emergency lighting. The old drill hall space was converted into what is now the main audio-visual space. “Intelligent lighting was installed there to compliment the video presentation, but also to enable the lighting to be adapted when the space is used for other types of functions,” explained Gareth. “The main engine room is also a great space with lighting and sound interaction.” M&E services were further installed for the catering facilities in the mess area - an industrial kitchen fit-out to allow outside caterers to be able to use appliances such as portable ovens.
UNIQUE CHALLENGES “It was an interesting project to work on, with some unique challenges,” continued Gareth. “First of all, the ship had be stripped right back because of all its modern add-ons over the years. We were directed not to take any paint off, as it dates back over 100 years and is of historic interest, so we had to work around that as best
we could without causing any damage.” The biggest challenge for the team from William Coates was being able to facilitate the vision of the experts from the National Museum of the Royal Navy - keeping the authenticity of the restoration while carrying out a modern services installation. “It meant that we had to hide a lot of things, such as the modern ventilation and air-conditioning pipe and duct work, which would otherwise have looked out of place in a historical context,” said Gareth. “It took a bit of trial and error, making modifications as we went along, and that meant that the job took longer than normal, which was an additional pressure as there was a tight schedule on this project – the ship had to be ready in time for the 100 years commemoration of the Battle of Jutland, in May. “We started work in November, and because of the nature of the job it was very labour intensive, so we brought in additional people to ensure that we made the deadline. It certainly wasn’t a run-of-the-mill M&E project but, overall, the job went very well indeed.” HMS Caroline has since been towed to a dry dock in the H&W Shipyard in Belfast in order to undergo hull conservation work before opening once again to the public. The public attraction has received a five-star rating from Tourism Northern Ireland and will be returned to Alexandra Dock in Belfast Harbour in February 2017.
Dedicated to high standards William Coates Ltd was formed in 1963 and has grown to become one of the leading mechanical and electrical building services and facility management contractors in the UK and Ireland. With a team of highly qualified and motivated electrical and mechanical professionals, the company is committed to understanding customers and their requirements, executing projects safely to the highest level of quality possible. Its core philosophy of quality, value, service and delivery, enables the team to focus on project completion on time, within budget and carried out to the highest possible standard. This ethos has played a major role in ensuring long-term repeat business, which has been fundamental to the company’s continued success.
NEWTOWNABBEY - William Coates, 37 Mallusk Rd, Newtownabbey, BT36 4PP T: (NI) 028 9034 2560 or (RoI) 048 9034 2560 – E: info@williamcoates.com www.williamcoates.com
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