Rock is loaded onto a fallpipe vessel at a quarry. The rock is stored in two holds with a maximum total capacity of 24,000 tons.
After reaching the offshore project location, it switches to Dynamic Positioning (DP) mode. The DP system keeps the vessel in exactly the required position. That makes it possible to position rock with the desired accuracy on a predetermined route.
Depending on the project specifications, the vessel can position the rock in various ways. There is a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) at the lower end of the flexible fallpipe.
The rock is taken on conveyor belts from both holds to the central area, after which the rock is sent through the chute into the fallpipe.The fallpipe and ROV are positioned above the starting point to deposit rock with great accuracy.
When rock has to be positioned in a place that the fallpipe cannot reach, as in offshore wind parks or around offshore platforms, the side dumping unit is used.
A fallpipe vessel can also be used to ballast the legs of offshore platforms, and this work can involve, for example, pumping a mixture of water and rock into the legs.