From Gandsfjorden to Yrkjefjorden

Gandsfjorden was not deep enough to allow the Gullfaks B substructure to be lowered the required 160 meters below the sea surface during the mating operation. Therefore, the substructure and the deck had to be transported to a deeper fjord before they could be joined. The choice fell on Yrkjefjorden, outside Vats.

The substructure first

The journey of the Gullfaks B substructure from Stavanger to Yrkjefjorden was originally planned for the end of March 1987, but was postponed by one week while awaiting clearance from the weather gods. The voyage began on the morning of April 5.

Nine tugboats towed the 490,000-ton concrete structure at an average speed of 0.7 knots. The route was winding, passing between several islands and narrow channels. This made it demanding to tow a colossus that extended 55 meters below the sea surface and had three concrete legs that, during transport, rose 111 meters above sea level. The challenge was not made any easier by the fact that the structure had a base width of 117 meters.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Jupskås. S.H (6. april 1987). Gullfaks B på søndagstur. Stavanger Aftenblad s. 29. On the morning of April 7, after two days of travel, it arrived at its destination.

After arrival, the substructure was moored and then lowered into the fjord by allowing water into the bottom cells. In the end, only 6 of the total 166 meters were visible from shore.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Førde. T. (08.04.1987) På Plass i Vats. Stavanger Aftenblad s. 50.

The substructure lay there waiting until it was time for mating with the deck.