What is undoubtedly the world’s most famous luxury yacht is successfully operating an advanced BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system from France’s BIO-UV Group.
Christina O, the 1943-built motor yacht named after the only daughter of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, was fitted with a low-flow BIO-SEA system last year as part of a major refurbishment at the D.K Fotinakis yard, in Greece.
To fit the limited space available in the 325ft long vessel’s machinery room, the 87m3/h capacity BIO-SEA L03-0087 system was supplied on two separate skids – one housing all mechanical components, the other the system’s electrical works.
The French manufacturer suggested a plug-and-play, split skid version of its BIO-SEA L-Series as this allowed CCTO’s technical teams to dismantle the main components to easily pass-through the hatches without cutting holes in the vessel. The BWTS was rebuilt in-situ, in the engine room.
The bespoke BIO-SEA skids were successfully installed in July 2021 subsequently commissioned by BIO-UV Group’s service partner MACOR, based in the South of France.
The Ballast Water Management Convention entered into force in September 2017 and applies to all vessels that take up and use ballast water on international voyages.
With flow rates ranging from 10m3/h to 120m3/h, the Low-Flow BIO-SEA range can be available with CuNiFe pipework for enhanced corrosion protection and in a range of gloss finishes. Additional upgrades include a new PLC with a more compact, touch screen and control cabinet.
Florian Cortes, Technical Director, BIO-SEA by BIO-UV Group, said: “We have enhanced the system specifically to meet stringent yacht sector requirements. In addition to size and ease-of-use, the BIO-SEA L range negates the need for an additional power cabinet.