tube uk helps launch RRS Sir David Attenborough
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The 128.9m-long vessel which has a 24m beam and a draft of 7m, is owned by the Natural Environment Research Council and will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
It replaces two existing ships and will be engaged in essential research and logistical support for the Survey.
The event at Cammell Laird saw the distinctive red hull (number 1390) launched following an impassioned speech by Sir David Attenborough himself, who focussed on the importance and centrality of the work undertaken by the BAS for the benefit and the long-term survival of our planet.
The RRS Sir David Attenborough’s impressive hull was assembled on a slipway from which it descended and hit the water. The presentation platform from which Sir David gave his speech was set up directly in front of the bow, and close to the left and right of this were two VIP grandstand seating areas
On the starboard side of the bow (stage left) was a larger public area where around 3000 people assembled to share the special moment.
tube’s Melvyn Coote explained, “We were hugely excited to be involved! Apart from the unusual location and the sonic challenges which needed to be overcome, it was the nature and profile of the event and the real sense of purpose associated with the BAS mission together with the incredible technology that supports it!”
Audio wise, they needed to cover the two grandstands and the open public area, so Melvyn chose a d&b system for its clarity, quality and small unobtrusive footprint. This was set up in front of the stage, configured as two ground-stacked main arrays of four Y8s, plus four Y-SUBS and one B2, all driven by D80 amps.
For the larger public area, Melvyn and his crew chose to install some very tall ground stacks, with two d&b B2 elements at the bottom, two V-SUBS on top of these, and then five V8s up to the top of each array, again powered by D80s. The tops of these stacks were about 3.5 – 4m off the ground – they were safely ratcheted in place - to ensure a good throw to the back of the area.
For control, tube spec’d one of their Yamaha CL5 consoles, running with a Rio3224-D rack at FOH for video inputs, and another onstage for all the stage mic inputs.
LED screens were positioned in the presentation area to beam visuals, including close ups of the speeches, to the VIP grandstands and the public area.
Sources included a DPA4066 headset mic running via a Sennheiser 6000 belt pack for a speech by one of the Cammell Laird project management team, plus a selection of lectern mics for the other speakers, including Sir David.
The cables and comms runs were long, over 300m and the physical dimensions of the site – being a shipyard – were on a grand scale that had to be accommodated.
Andrew Mills, managing director of Mills Media Creative, said, “We have worked with tube on many live events and we knew that the sound production would be of the highest level. It was a challenging environment and tube delivered a sound system that was spot on. Our client was very happy with the ceremony.”
(Jim Evans)
