www.sea-technology.com July 2014 / st 23
choice but to cut it loose, sending the ship on an unguided
detour 1.5 miles south, where it became stuck fast in the
offshore sands battered by the surf at Llolleo Beach.
Before the vessel began its wild, helpless ride, with wind
and waves violently pushing it towards its resting place
some 300 yards off-
shore, Chilean Navy
helicopters swarmed
above and rescued the
ship's crew of 24, none
of whom were seriously
injured. With severe
bottom damage, some
fooding in the cargo
W
hen Mother Nature takes the helm of a ship and sends
it bobbing out of control in a frothy sea, the resulting
casualty typically requires a remedy that is no match for the
average marine salvage company. Such was the case on a
stormy morning in August 2013, as a partially laden, 52,289-
ton, Hong Kong-fagged, bulk
carrier approached the har-
bor entrance to the port of San
Antonio, Chile, en route from
Panama, and dropped anchor
to await calmer seas. However,
the anchor was helpless against
the angry seas and quickly be-
gan to drag. The crew had no
Salvage Project a Success
With Patience and Innovation
TITAN Salvage Clears Grounded Bulk Carrier, Restores Views in Chile
By Jenifer Kimble
(Top) The 52,289-ton bulk carrier ran aground and became stuck fast
in the Chilean surf of Llolleo Beach. (Middle) The TITAN team fab-
ricated a hand-made pontoon system for ferrying heavy equipment
from the beach to the wreck site. (Bottom) TITAN Salvage successfully
removed the wreck, restoring the unobstructed sunrise views to beach-
goers and coastal residents of San Antonio, Chile.