A former cruise liner entered service this summer with DFDS Seaways as Denmark's largest cruiseferry Pearl of Scandinavia after a conversion project which included installation of a hoistable car deck and flood control doors. The vessel was converted at yards in Hamburg and Aalborg which resulted in extensive accommodation, dining and recreational amenities for up to 2,100 passengers. MacGREGOR supplied hoistable car decks and flood control doors, and supervised their installation.

Hoistable car decks and associated access ramps with a total area of around 1,700m² were installed on both sides of the vehicle deck (3). When not deployed, the decks are stowed in the hoisted position below deck 5. Ramp operation is effected by hydraulic cylinders located in the ship's structure, which are connected to lifting brackets on the ramps via steel ropes and sheaves. The car deck panels are similarly operated by built-in hydraulic cylinders and a rope/sheave system connected to the deck structure above. Designed to be raised and lowered loaded with cars, the decks can accept a uniformly distributed load of 180 kg/ m² and a concentrated wheel load from cars (axle load 800kg and total weight 1,500kg).

MacGREGOR also installed four telescopic side-rolling flood control doors on the vehicle deck. The doors are paired port and starboard, each securing clear openings 12.7m wide x 4m high. The doors are constructed from three aluminium panels, each rolling on a dedicated overhead rail. Operated by hydraulic motors and chains, the doors can be opened or closed in approximately 60 seconds (excluding locking) and are locked in the closed position by hydraulic battening devices. A gasket mounted on the door panels achieves water-tightness when the door is closed and secured.