The industry's recognized authority for design, engineering and application of equipment and services in the global ocean community
Issue link: http://sea-technology.epubxp.com/i/344822
www.sea-technology.com July 2014 / st 25 a homebuilt, light steelwork frame that was winched through the surf. To prevent the hull from becoming light and dancing around in the waves as the cargo weight was reduced and the high ocean swell continued, bal- last water was fooded back into all the tanks and cargo holds to keep it steady. Later, once all other preparations were made for refoating, powerful, porta- ble pumps were installed to drain the 48,000 tons of seawater, reducing the vessel's weight. Proving to be effcient multitaskers during cargo removal, six of TITAN's linear hydraulic chain pullers, each with a 300-metric ton capacity, were set up on the stricken vessel's bow to eventually allow the lightened wreck to be pulled off the beach and refoat- ed into deeper water. Six 12-ton, high- holding power anchors, connected in total to approximately 5,000 meters of 3-inch chain and 3-inch wire, were laid out by the contracted Smith Mari- time (Green Cove Springs, Florida) tug Rhea. Despite challenging surf condi- tions, the chain and wire were con- nected to the hydraulic pullers, which would later generate maximum pull- ing force in excess of 1,000 tons while winching the wreck from its sandy de- mise. "It fell to the captain and crew of Rhea, to lay the anchors, anchor chains and heavy wire rigging, as well as make the connection between the anchors and the pullers," said Amos. "This maneuver involved repeatedly bringing the tug into breaking surf while effectively 'in irons' [rendered incapable of steering] and lacking the ability to freely get out of trouble. Without the sheer guts and determina- tion exhibited by this part of the team, the operation simply could not have happened." Only fve short months after op- erations began, the 50-person salvage team, half of whom lived on board the wreck and half of whom were based on the beach, celebrated the sweet success that comes with job comple- tion. Despite complications caused by the erosion and disappearance of the entire beach during the course of the operation, the fnal cargo was removed from the ship on April 1 and the wreck was successfully pulled out of the surf zone and safely refoated three weeks later. It was there that it again became afoat on top of the sea that would forever become its watery grave. In accordance with its owner's instruc- tion, the wreck was cleaned and safely scuttled in approximately 2,000 meters of deep, blue Pacifc water, in a posi- tion designated by local maritime au- thorities about 40 miles seaward of its grounding location. "The challenges to the salvage teams attempting projects of this kind all around the world are widely varied and can be extremely daunting, espe- cially taking into account present-day requirements in terms of pollution pre- vention and control, as well as mini- mum safety standards on site," said Amos. "It is always worth remember- ing that successful marine salvage and wreck removal–the end product of all our efforts–does not take place on a computer screen, or spreadsheet or at a conference table. It is carried on by teams of trained and dedicated people doing heavy, sometimes dangerous, demanding tasks for long hours in the dark and the cold and the wet without complaining." "Our success job after job really is all about the salvors, their mental for- titude and dedication to their trade," said Captain Rich Habib, TITAN man- aging director. "The men who consider it all in a day's work to climb inside the blocked téléphérique hopper, full of stinking rotten grain, and physically shovel tons of the wet product out, lit- erally thousands of times. And, the on- site project coordinator, long day after long day, overcoming frustration to keep on top of what is at best a thank- less task of tracking cost and managing the day-to-day demands for equipment and service to keep the work going." Despite these challenges, the TITAN Salvage team accomplished the job as they said they would, safely, within schedule and contract price, and to the complete satisfaction of local authori- ties. The joint effort was an example of industry leadership in global salvage response. n As an accomplished business writer, Jenifer Kimble has more than 15 years of experience in public rela- tions and corporate communications across various industries. Before putting her skills and experience to use on a freelance basis, she spent eight years as senior editor for Crowley Maritime Corp. She has also served as marketing and communications manager for an international lottery products and services provider, public relations director for an advertising and public relations agency, and mar- keting director for a regional real estate frm.