Stülcken derrick]

The patent Stülcken derrick is used for very heavy cargo. It stems
from the German shipyard HC Stülcken & Sohn which has been taken
over later by neighboring yard Blohm & Voss. This derrick can handle
up to 300 tonnes. The Stülcken can be made ready in few minutes,
dramatically faster than a traditional heavy derrick, doesn't require
lots of space and is operated by four winches. Between two v-shaped,
unstayed Samson-posts is the Stülcken secured. This makes it
possible to let the derrick swing through the posts to reach another
hatch. For each post is a hoisting winch, a span winch and a lever
that is run by one man only. Bearings, swivels, sheaves and the
gooseneck can be unattended for up to four years and create only a
friction of about 2%. The span tackles are independent and the
halyard is endless. With the revolving suspension heads on the posts
it takes ten minutes to swing all the way through. In the double-
pendulum block type, half of the cargo tackle can be anchored to the
base of the boom. In order to double the hook speed, the halyard
passes through the purchases since one end is secured which
reduces the SWL to its half. Typical dimensions of a 275 tonne
Stülcken are: 25.5 m length, 0.97 m diameter, 1.5 m to 3.4 m diameter
of posts, 18 m apart the posts (upper end) and 8.4 m apart the posts
(lower end). The hook of a full-loaded 275 tonne Stülcken can move
2.3 m per minute. If only one purchase is secured and the derrick is
loaded with 137 tonnes the hook gains velocity to 4.6 m per min. Even
more speed can be gained when the winch ratios are reduced to
100 tonnes (triple speed) and 68 tonnes (quadruple speed). Detaching
the union table the double-pendulum block type of Stülcken is able to
swing through which allows the lower blocks to swing freely to each
side of the boom. In this way the derrick reaches a vertical position. A
bullrope easily pulls the derrick to the other side until the weight of
the cargo tips the derrick over. The span tackles now have the weight
on the other side. The union table is fixed again and the derrick can
start its work on the other side. There are also Stülcken with single-
pendulum blocks. At this type the cargo hook is detached and the
lower and upper cargo block are hauled into the center of the
Stülcken. To tip the derrick over the gravity is here used again. A
derrick helps pump oil in most offshore rigs.