Successful Sea Trials

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC 19 December 2001 19 December 2001 James Fisher's Latest Cable Layer 'Oceanic Pearl' Completes Successful Sea Trials Barrow-based shipping group James Fisher and Sons Public Limited Company has taken delivery of the second of two cable laying vessels purchased for conversion at the Viktor Lenac shipyard, Rijeka, Croatia. Commenting, David B. Cobb, executive chairman of James Fisher, said today: 'Delivery of the Oceanic Pearl completes the conversion of two ships for cable laying and means that with the Nexus, our first cable layer, currently stationed in Victoria, British Columbia, we now have three such vessels with a combined tonnage of 15,000 tonnes. 'Oceanic Princess, the first of the two specially converted vessels and delivered in May of this year, is currently operating in the Far East. Both ships are on five-year charters.' The two vessels are among the best equipped of their type in service today. Cable deployment is monitored and controlled from a Makai suite of equipment installed on the bridge adjacent to the DP control station. There are separate cable lay control rooms overlooking the main cable working decks on both ships. Fully air-conditioned accommodation is provided for 65 persons on each vessel. Separate lounges, recreation rooms, conference rooms and client lounges are incorporated with gymnasiums an additional feature. Press Enquiries: David B Cobb, CBE Executive Chairman James Fisher and Sons Public Limited Company Tel: 020 7338 5808 Issued on behalf of James Fisher and Sons Public Limited Company by Tavistock Communications Limited (contact Keith Payne, tel: 0207 600 2288).