.svg){kind=small}
When a ship of up to 150 meters docks in Ølen, the entire operation rests on a steel structure that must be both safe and robust. With a lifting capacity of 7600 tons, the dock is one of the most important work tools in the shipyard and precisely because of this, it requires regular maintenance to perform at the top level year after year.
This summer, the dock got a boost. About 170 tons of steel in the tank top were replaced, a work that lays the foundation for many years of further operation. At the same time, the team seized the opportunity to carry out additional maintenance:
“Once we had the dock out of service, it was natural to take the opportunity to tackle more tasks. Among other things, we had paint work done outside, since the weather was on our side during the period,” says Rolf Eikemo, Head of Drift & Fabrication in Ølen.
As Head of Drift & Fabrication Rolf has overall responsibility for upgrades and maintenance of heavy equipment at the shipyard, as well as the overall production and activity at the site. The role involves both planning, follow-up and decision-making that facilitate the team and the support functions of the projects to carry out the work safely and efficiently.
'A big part of the role is about supporting the leaders in my team, 'he says.
The work on the dock is a good example of this. The project was completed within both deadline and budget — much thanks to good planning and close collaboration.
For Rolf, it is precisely such projects that make everyday work exciting. Over the years, he has been allowed to work on a wide range of tasks, and it is this variety that has allowed him to thrive in Westcon Yards since 1996 - with the exception of a few years away.
“Westcon Yards is a company with a lot of variety of jobs. You can try your hand at everything from academic challenges to managerial tasks, and this offers great opportunities to develop,” he says.
He also highlights the environment at the shipyard as a major strength.
“Here it is high under the roof, and the colleagues are standing up for each other. That's probably one of the reasons so many stay here,” he adds.
