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Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States (1994)

Chapter: Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

APPENDIX E
INSTANCES OF SALVAGE IN U.S. WATERS REPORTED TO THE COMMITTEE1

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

 

Hess Oil storage tank

Ruptured; 155,000- barrel crude oil spill

Fast

Fast response

90% of oil recovered; small amount of oil got into the Kill van Kull

 

 

9,500,000-gallon waste oil spill

More than 200 men working each day with various equipment for 5 weeks

 

 

 

Russian trawler

Fire

USCG directed response by Crowley and Boots and Coots under Navy contract

 

Vessel returned to service

 

Drilling rig

Adrift in heavy weather

Tow

Weather; communication; crew fatigue; equipment failure; lack of specific equipment

Rig Sank under tow

 

Barge/tug

Barge parted towline; could not be boarded by crew of tug

 

Weather; communication; fatigue of crews; equipment failure; lack of specific kind of equipment

 

 

Deep notch barge

Collision

Secure damaged fuel piping; make fuel system operable to aftermost pumping engine; relocated cargo hoses to enable overhead pumping; lightered approx. 500,000 gallons of gasoline

 

 

 

Barge

Grounded

Offloaded cargo from undamaged compartments; barge refloated after being pulled from rocks by 2 tugs; ballasted to stop further leaking

Gasoline leaking from all damaged tanks; gale waming

 

A REGINA/

3EKM

M/V passenger ferry

Aground

LOF SMIT/SASI-liaison

 

Vessel lost, given up

ABIQUA/

KTZO

Bulk motor

 

Partial offload; tow condition

 

 

ADMIRALTY BAY

M/V

 

Dry salvage

 

 

AEGEAN SUN

M/T

 

Dry salvage

 

 

AFRICAN

M/V general cargo

Collision

Flooded engine room; towed to Galvesto, TX; engine room pumped dry; towed to Brownsville, TX; broken up; SASI/SUSTA

 

Broken up

1  

The committee was unable to verify the facts of the following incidents; the information is reported exactly as received.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

AIKATERINA

Tankship

Fire

Fire extinguished by USCG and Boots and Coots personnel after burning for several days

Dealing with offshore vessel fires

Vessel not lost at sea

AKRON/D5VF

M/V bulk cargo

Aground

SASI refloated; reload

 

 

ALEXANDERS ABILITY

 

Aground; engine room flooded

 

 

 

ALL KLASKAN

Fish processor

Grounded

Oil removed by USCG; fish processing machinery salvaged by owner; unsuitable conditions for salvage

Broached and broke while towline being cast

No assets

ALVENUS

MV tanker

Aground

Lightering operation offshore; antipollution operation a.o. Galveston Beach

 

Major oil spill

AMOCO CADIZ

VLCC

Loss of steering; grounding

Salvage tug on scene within 3 hours; unsuccessfully attempted to take AMOCO CADIZ under tow

Main engine functioning but not used during attempts to establish a tow

Major pollution occurred; ship total loss

AOYAGI MARU

F/V

Grounded

USCG burned remaining fuel using explosives

Owners looked at limits of liability vs. salvage value

No salvage

APEX 3405

Tank barge

Collision; sank

Raised sunken barge; vessel removed from channel

Channel closure restrictions; no need to maintain intact cargo envelope; stability calculations not necessary

Discharged over 750,000 gallons of catalytic feedstock oil

AQUILA AZTECA/XCGU

M/Tank

Grounded

Partly offloaded; refloated; SMIT/SASI

 

 

ARCO ANCHORAGE

T/V

Grounded; cargo tanks punctured

USCG and commercial submersible pumps used to transfer crude oil to lightering barge; divers put in temporary patch; vessel sailed to Cherry Point, WA; offloaded cargo

 

Went to shipyard in Portland; OR

ARGENTINA

Ocean-going ferry

Grounded

National Strike Force personnel pumped fuel oil from vessel; vessel was cut down to the waterline and superstructure taken away

Remote location; environmental sensitivity of the area

 

ARGO IDUNA

 

Explosion in engine room

Lightering operation

 

 

ARGO MERCHANT

Handy size tanker

Grounding

MPS ship CURB on scene; lightering available and USCG ADAPTS pumps on board, but lack of steam generator prevented hearing oil for offloading when weather permitted

Winter; MPS ship CURB in Key West, took 5 days to arrive on scene; lack of steam generator prevented heating oil for offloading; divided authority on scene (USCG, State of MA, EPA)

Weather worsened; ship broke up; ship and cargo total loss

AROW

Coastal tanker

Grounded, then sank in 60 feet of water

Cargo offloaded using first-time application of hot-tap technique; local heating at off loading pumps was necessary; heating process very inefficient

Winter

No pollution occurred

ATLANTIA

 

 

Pre-inspection; installation

 

 

ATT STALL

M/T

 

Wet salvage

 

 

B 155

Barge

See OCEAN 255

 

 

 

BANGLER BANNI

M/V

 

Dry salvage

 

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

BARGE 160-4; AVENGER

1,600-DWT tank barge; tug

Grounded

Salvage team; fly in equipment

Barge empty; barge sustained only moderate bottom damage; tug sustained extensive bottom and side shell damage

Fuel removed from tug, both refloated by use of ground tackle

BARGE 500-4

12,000-DWT rail car and trailer barge

Grounded

Damage control efforts to limit flooding by pressurizing selected tanks; use of properly equipped salvage vessel (M/V ARCTIC SALVOR) tugs

Full load of cargo; extensive damage to starboard-side shell and bottom-plating; use of properly equipped salvage vessel and tugs with both power and sea-keeping ability to work in prevailing weather conditions

Successfully refloated without loss of cargo

BARGE BEAN 12

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

BARGE KENAI

9,750-dwt deck barge

Grounded

Salvage team on-site within 6 hours; utilized salvage vessel ARCTIC SALVOR

Extensive bottom damage and subsequent flooding; prompt arrival of salvage personnel; availability of specialized equipment capable of being flown to the site; delays were caused by high wind and adverse sea conditions

Successfully refloated without loss of cargo

BEAN 12

Anchor handling vessel

Sunk

Removal with Derrick barge

 

 

BETTY L

Deck barge

Aground; USCG removed 120,000 gallons of diesel fuel

Salvage chief removed barge successfully

 

 

BLUE MAGPIE

Cargo vessel

Grounded on breakwater

 

Timely availability of salvage assets

Broke up before salvage assistance could reach scene

BRAZILIAN FRIENDSHIP

 

Grounded; broken rudder

Refloated with local salvor and tugs; used tugs to steer vessel down river to awaiting foreign tug (BUGSIER) towed to Germany

Fully loaded iron ore

 

BT 155

Barge

See OCEAN 255

 

 

 

BT NAUTILUS

Barge

Grounded in Kill van Kull

 

Partial closure of waterway for several days

 

BURMAH AGATE / ELZS

M/Tank

Collision; fire

 

 

Vessel burnt out 19,000 tons crude saved

BYRON 16

 

Aground

Cargo lightered with severe loss; damaged in refloating

Poorly chosen salvage equipment

 

C/V STAR LEKINGER

 

Grounded on aft third

International salvage firm hired by responsible party at the direction of COTP; acquired 3 high HP tugs; had vessel off-ground within 36 hours

Greater than normal east-west current continued to set the vessel into shallow water; fear of possibility of double bottom fuel tanks rupturing and releasing bunkers into the sea; miles of pristine white beaches in direct path of potential fuel spill; no tugs of sufficient horsepower locally available

No pollution resulted; no damage other than scraped paint and slight indentation along starboard quart

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

CAMARGUE/FNUB

M/T

Collision in ballast tank

Vessel inerted; damage covered, assisted into Galveston SASI

 

 

CARIBE

Barge

Aground

 

 

 

CC-11

Barge

Stranded and sank

 

Owner failed to employ competent salvors

Vessel broke up and became wreck removal project

CEPHEUS

T/V

Grounded

Refloated itself; headed for port with damage to double bottom and cargo tank; steam trace rigged to remove heavy fuel from double bottoms; offloaded cargo

 

Sailed to Kachemak Bay for survey and repairs

CHARA-LAMBOS

Large tanker

Large section of side plate fell off while being towed to scrap

Flooded opposite side tanks sufficiently to bring upright

Time critical to even up and bring open section of hull clear of water to prevent extension of opening

Continued in tow

CHEM 2

Tank barge

Stranded on sandbar

Equipment and trained ANH personnel brought in; dredged channel to barge; lightered cargo; winched tank barge and lightering barge out

Silting; rapid river stage fall; poor access; downwind community; potential loss of cargo cooling

 

CHEVRON GUAM

Small POL tanker

Grounding in typhoon

Search and survey in deep water where tanker was left by forces of nature

Full load of avgas and jet fuel

Ship was total loss; no pollution due to volatile nature of cargo and scrubbing forces of nature

CHEVRON HORIZON

Crude oil tanker

Grounded and holed; hit in stern by gasoline tow

Tanker refloated with tugs; ballasted down creating water bottoms; temporary patch by divers; cargo offloated

 

Sent to drydock

CHINA PRIDE

Ore carrier

Stranded on sandbar

Lightered and pushed off with tugs

Strong current; dropping river stage; silting

 

CIUDAD DE BRAQUE

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

CIUDAD DE IBAGUE

MV

Holes in watertight bulkhead

Hull plate removed

 

 

CIUDAD DE PASTO

 

Hull fracture, taking water in machinery space and three holds

Determine location of vessels and equipment; hire tug and supply vessel; establish towage connection

Bad weather; time critical situation because sinking of the vessel was threatened; crew had abandoned vessel; only vessel's emergency generator was available to supply power

 

COLUMBIA NEW YORK

Barge

Grounded

Refloated with tug assist

Time critical as bad weather could have broken her on rocks

 

CRANE RECOVERY

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

CYRIL

M/V general cargo

Aground

Offload; refloat

 

 

DAE RIM

Fishing vessel

Drifted ashore after unsuccessful rescue tow

 

Failure caused by Russian tug letting go her tow

 

DAY ISLAND

Fishing vessel

Swamped over underwater rock

Refloated

 

Docked

DELTA AMERICA/KFFJ

M/V general cargo

Aground

LOF Moran-Crowley; SMIT/SASI

 

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

DEVALI 1/D51W

M/Tank

Aground during hurricane

Inspection and contract LOF; SMIT

Loaded crude

 

DIALA

MV tanker

Aground

Lightering operation ''over the top''

 

 

DIALA/DGBS

M/Tank

Aground

Partial discharge; refloated, SMIT/OCEAN - salvage

Cargo crude

 

DIAZ ORDAZ

M/F

 

Wet salvage

 

 

DIMI

 

Aground

 

 

 

DOCELOTUS/PPVD

M/V general cargo

Aground

Refloated after deballasting

 

 

DREDGE BARGE

Barge

 

Survey

 

 

DUVAL II

Barge

Collision and subsequent sinking in Houston Ship Channel

Pushed to side of channel; heavy lift barge from New Orleans salvaged vessel

Unavailability of heavy lift barge in area; h-l barge delayed by fog

Successfully salved; two way traffic not restored for about two weeks

EAGEAN SUN

MV tanker

Struck submerged object and grounded

Inerted all cargo tanks and refloated vessel

 

 

EASTERN STAR

Log carrier

Broke mooring

Controlled by Local harbor tug

Capable vessel willing to help

Continued voyage

ELPASO PAUL KEYSER

LNG tanker

Grounding

Vessel dispatched for lightering; special offload equipment mobilized immediately by owner;

Double bottom prevented penetration of inner hull; ship provided with and had trained in damage control and casualty procedures; owners on scene within 30 hours to liaise with local authorities and government officials and prepared to make tough decisions including destruction of ship; salvage engineers and naval architects on scene, backed by support in CONUS

No pollution and no litigation occurred; ship repaired in drydock and back in service

ELDIAMN

 

Survey

 

 

 

EMS ORE

 

Grounded; broken rudder

Refloated with local salvor and tugs; used tugs to steer vessel down river to awaiting foreign tug (BUGSIER) towed to Germany

Fully loaded iron ore

 

ENTERPRISE

MV bulkcarrier

Aground

Lightering operation

 

 

ENTERPRISE/3FOF

M/V bulk

Aground

Partial offload; refloat SASI; delivered to Beaumont, TX; SASI

 

 

ERKOWIT

Breakbulk

Collision with DORTMUND

Entry into inner harbor denied; ship was sinking; grounded by salvage master on local public beach; hazardous deck cargo floated off

Deck cargo of highly toxic agricultural chemicals; tug master doubled as salvage master; occurred on weekend when regular port authorities were not available Ship removed and disposed of; pollution occurred

Ship removed and disposed of; pollution occurred

ESSI ANNE

Freight vessel

Grounded

Pulled off ground by 2 tugs

Channel restrictions made operation time critical

 

ESTELLE J / H9NX

M/Bulk

Aground

Partlal offload; refloat

 

 

ETHNOS/5MRD

M/V

 

Refloated with Smit Salvor and Terminals; to Curacao

 

 

EXPLORER

M/T

 

Dry salvage

 

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

EXXON VALDEZ

T/V

Grounded

80% of cargo saved; lightering, floated from strand

 

 

F/V TENYO MARU

 

Collision

Several thousand gallons of oil were pumped from vessel after underwater ROV was used to attach hose

Need for cooperation with Canadian Government; use of ROV

Major oil spill, vessel sank; vessel never salvaged

FAITH 1/OCEAN 190

 

Collision

Gasoline cargo in damaged ,tanks allowed to dissipate before remaining cargo pumped off

 

 

FEDERAL RHINE/ELBY 3

M/V bulk

Aground

Part offloaded; refloated; SASI

Loaded with grain

 

FIJI PRINCESS

Passenger vessel

Aground

Refloated by local salvage company

Rapid response with adequate equipment

 

FORT PROVIDENCE/GCPJ

M/V bulk carrier

Aground

Part offloaded; refloated, SASI, anchored

 

 

FRESTON STAR

M/V

 

Survey

 

 

GARYVILLE

M.T.

 

Towing

 

 

GEO S

M/V

 

Dry salvage

 

 

GLACIER BAY

Tanker

Struck uncharted rock

Discharged over the top by equipment from Valdez

Success determined by over the top pumping equipment

Ship returned to service

GUYANA

M/V

 

Survey

 

 

HAPPY RUNNER

MV heavy lift vessel

Capsized

Refloating operation with Derrick barges

 

 

HAPPY RUNNER

M/V

 

Survey

 

 

HARP

M/V

Aground

Partial discharge; refloat SMIT/SASI

 

 

HERCULES

M/V

 

Dry salvage

 

Scuttled

HERMANOS CARCAMO/DANT

MN bulk carrier

Aground

Refloat; LOF

 

 

HYUDAI 12

Bulk carrier

Grounded

Refloated by crew flown in with equipment available in area; RCTIC SALVOR sailed from Seattle and arrived near end of refloating operation

Personnel skilled in salvage and adaptation of local equipment

Vessel returned to service

HYUNDAI #12

Freight vessel

Grounded

Fuel oil pumped from double bottom tanks and several hundred tons of cargo grain were jettisoned

Unseasonably fair weather; ability to jettison cargo

Refloated

IB906

Barge

Holed double bottom; sownflooded open void hatches while preparing to lock through

Improvised flex hose and drum cofferdam to pump out voids; refloat; "shingle" hole

Complete sinking and hazmat release avoided by running barge into shallow water

Sent to drydock

INDEPEN-DENCE SERVICE

Freight vessel

Grounded; flooded

Barge in tow taken in tow by towing vessels; towed vessel to Palominos Island; capsized while in tow; raised by commercial salvage company

 

 

ISLA PUNA

 

Grounding

 

 

 

ITAPUCA/PPEL

M/V general cargo

Fire in cargo hold #1

Chemical fire extinguished

 

 

JAINGA

M/T

 

S.T.S.

 

 

JAY GANESH

Freighter

Grounded

 

Fully loaded; vessel in exposed situation on reef

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

JOHN AUGUSTUS ESSBEGER/DHGJ

M/Bulk

Aground

Refloated SMIT/SASI; LOF

 

 

JUPITER

T/V

Caught fire exploded; burned;

Obtain adequate wire rope to further secure hip; fire extinguished on day 2; reignited and extinguished on day 3; salvage complete on week 5

Obstructed channel in Saginaw River, MI; shorebased firefighting resources could not reach vessel; vessel originally tethered by only one of six original mooring lines; securing ship extinguishing fire, disposing of contaminated water; alternate uses for available resources

 

KEYES 302

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

LADY PAMELA

 

Sunk

Traditional attempts to raise vessel through pumping out tanks through ents failed due to unique plumbing; crane barge was hired; vessel dragged by barge near shore to take advantage of tidal cycles; after 3 days of massive pumping and lifting the vehicle was salvaged without loss of fuel

 

 

LLOYD GENOVA/PPJP

M/V general cargo

Aground

LOF; SMIT/SASI

 

 

LOUISIANA BRIMSTONE

 

Grounding

 

 

 

M/T ESSO BRUSSELS, S/S SEA WITCH

 

After collision, ESSO BRUSSELS stern anchor caught in starboard anchor chain of SEA WITCH; SEA WITCH was on fire

SEA WITCH was removed to safe distance from ESSO BRUSSELS; ESSO BRUSSELS fire was extinguished; discharged cargo; continued oil pollution control

 

 

M/V ELDIA

Freighter

Blown ashore

National Strike Force personnel pumped fuel oil from vessel

Cooperation by all parties involved; good weather conditions

Refloated without loss of cargo

M/V SCANDA

NAVIA SEA

Cruise ship

Fire

Brought to dock to offload passengers; firefighting efforts commenced dockside; vessel almost lost due to excessive use of firefighting water

Lake of personnel trained in shipboard firefighting; time critical need to pump off firefighting water

Vessel saved

M/V STAR CONNECTICUT

 

Grounded

Navy, Coast Guard, civilian salvors on-site; repaired hull cracks; dewatered pump room

Fully laden vessel; damage to propeller shaft; cracks in double bottom; flooding in pump room; favorable environmental conditions, timely damage control and dewatering operations

Refloated without any oil release

MAASSLOT

M/T

 

Ship transfer service

 

 

MAASSTAD

M/T

 

Ship transfer service

 

 

MAASTROOM

 

 

Ship transfer service

 

 

MARl BOEING

General cargo

Aground

Total offload; refloat; LOF; SMIT/SASI; towed to Korea

 

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

MARINA L

 

Grounded

Lightered cargo out with self-unloader vessels and tugs

Fully loaded with linseed oil cake; time critical as building up sand around vessel

 

MARINE ELECTRIC/WOOH

SS bulk

Sank

Diving survey; SASI/Galerne

Cargo coal

 

MARQUESA

MV bulkcarrier

Aground

Lightering operation

 

 

MARSHALL KONEV

MV bulkcarrier

Aground

Lightering operation

 

 

MARSHALL KONYEV

MV

Grounding

Combination of lightering and horsepower freed vessel

Lack of towing vessels quickly available; quickly began silting in; owners decision to only incrementally increase towing vessels; owners were located in Soviet Union; owners representatives were incapable or unwilling to commit themselves to realistic cures for the situation

 

MARY LOU

M/V cargo

Aground

Refloated; SMIT/SASI; LOF

 

 

MAVRO VETRANIC

M/V

 

LOF

 

 

MEGA BORG

 

Explosion/fire in engine room, pump room and accommodations

LOF

 

 

MELODIC/6ZTY

M/V cargo

Aground

Refloated Smit Cory/McAllister

 

Docked at Montreal

MERCEDES ENVOY

 

 

Dry salvage daily

 

 

MERKUR AMERICA

 

Engine room fire

 

 

 

MERMOZ/FOSK

Passenger ship

Aground

Refloat

 

 

METULA

VLCC

Grounding

Cargo removed by lightering using portable pumps

Weather permitted operation; ship showed remarkable durability in remote, inhospitable part of the world

Pollution limited

MILOS REEFER

Refrigerated cargo carrier

Grounded

 

Winter weather and damage prevented salvage attempt

Owner removed some oils and hazardous materials

MINERVA

Bulk carrier

Grounded outside channel; unable to refloat; need to lighter

Lightered off cargo to refloat

Difficulty in determining when suitable lightering barge would be available

Refloated

MINORES PRIDE

 

Aground in mud

Refloated with local salvor and tugs

Fully loaded with iron ore; time critical as blocking river fairway

 

MISSISSIPPI QUEEN

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

MONSANTO

Chemical barge

Hit bridge; caught fire

 

 

 

MONSUN

MV

Collision damage hold #3

Emergency repair

 

 

MOSUN

M/V

 

Survey

 

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

MOUNT ATHOS / SXLX

M/V general cargo

Aground

Refloated; SASI

 

 

NAFTOPORO S / SYKE

M/V bulk cargo

Aground

Refloated SMIT/SASl; towed to Balboa, Panama

 

 

NO 6 CHILBOSAN

Refrigerated cargo carrier

Grounded

 

Winter weather and damage prevented salvage attempt

Owner removed some oils and hazardous materials

NORDIC RIDER / A8UV

Bulk carrier

Aground on reef

Refloat; SMIT/SASl

 

 

NORMAN PACIFIC / S6AL

M/V bulk carrier

Aground

Part offloaded; refloat; SASI

Loaded with grain

 

OBELIX / A8WE

M/Tank

Collision

LOF SASI; offloaded; refloated

 

 

OCEAN 255

Barge

Collision with freighter BALSA 37 and barge B 155; spill and fire on B155

Fire extinguished by Tampa Fire Dept; spill cleanup coordinated by NRC and Maritrans; OCEAN 255 pumped out by Strike Team

Fire

Fire extinguished quickly; good coordination cleanup

OCEAN BEAUTY

Bulk carrier

Grounded

Refloated by SALVAGE CHIEF

Availability of salvage vessel

Returned to service

OCEAN EAGLE

40,000 dwt

Grounding; ship broke in half

USN responsible for bow section, MCS for stem; owner abandoned vessel early so wreck clearance was effected expeditiously; cargo was removed from stem to lightering vessel; cargo remaining in forward half offloaded by pumping into lightering vessel

Pilot not yet aboard

Major pollution occurred, most of oil was salved; both sections were scuttled in deep water by salvors

OCEAN HANNE

Small freight ship

Grounded

 

 

 

ONDINA

M/T

 

Dry salvage

 

 

PACIFIC VOYAGER

Fishing vessel

Wreck

 

 

Uneconomical to salvage because no reasonable-cost assets available

PENROD HULL

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

PENROD LEGS

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

PERRYVILLE/

KUTN

Product tanker

Aground

LOF SMIT/SASI; refloat; escort to New Orleans

 

 

PETRO SERVICE

T/V

Aground

USCG removed gasoline to small barges; empty vessel dragged off reef

2,000,000 gallons of gasoline on board

 

PLATFORM REMOVAL

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

POINT LEVI

Barge

Grounded

Offloaded; refloated; drydocked

Loaded with crude; ice St. Lawrence River

 

PRESIDENTE RIVERA

 

Grounded on rock ledge; holed 7 tanks

Damaged tanks lightered to barges; tugs and engine used to push off ledge; moved to dock; offloaded; temp patches

Crew language barrier; crew incompetence; delays getting lightering barges; access to get salvage pumps on board; 3 knot river currents; tidal rise/fall; good salvage master; loadmaster computer onboard; good vessel condition; high cargo flashpoint

304K gallons of #6 oil spilled, sent to drydock

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

VLCC

Lost all power

Local tugs unsuccessfully attempted to take ship under tow; ship's engineers restored power minutes before grounding would have occurred

Fully loaded; drifting toward Columbia Glacier 30nmi away; response effort of local tugs inadequate

No pollution; no damage to ship

PROTESlLAUS/

GPGA

M/V general cargo

Aground

LOF; refloat; SMIT/SASl

 

 

PSARA

Product carrier

Vessel started taking slow rolls to 15 degrees; came to rest leaning on pier with 8 degree list; lines taught; 2 tugs holding against pier

Careful soundings; calculation of ballast/offload sequence and quantities

Mate used improper offload sequence

 

PUERTO RICAN

T/V

Explosion; fire, sinking

USCG ordered vessel to sea; USCG, USN, and local fireboats put out fire; lightering barge; vessel broke in half

 

Forebody drydocked

RAVEN

Tug

Fell off Marine Railway

Refloated with floating crane

Time critical as blocking ways

 

REGENT STAR

Cruise ship

Main switchboard fire; blackout and stranding

Passengers removed by ferry vessel; refloated at high tide with tugs; careful ballast/fuel arrangement

Hull strength due to bending at low tide; empty double bottoms created stability problem for refloating

 

RIO TUXPAN/XCRT

M/V general cargo

Aground

Offload; refloat; LOF

 

Docked at Vera Cruz

ROBERT E. RESOFF

Fish processor

Broke moorings

Controlled and returned to moorings by fishing vessels

Capable vessels of opportunity willing to help

Returned to service

S.E.W.O.P MR. DON

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

S/S SANTA ANNA

 

Dead in water

Pumped 1,800 gallons fuel onboard to restart auxilliary generators; tug towed ship to Wilmington, NC

Weather; communication; fatigue of crews; equipment failure; lack of specific kind of equipment

Successful rescue

S/S SAN JUAN

 

Grounding

Channel closed; local tugs assisted; liquid loads were shifted; vessel successfully refloated without pollution

Outstanding salvage master

 

S/S SINGAPORE TRADER

Dry cargo

High aground ship

Used Sorbent C Filtration System to filter dirty ballast water in double bottom tanks; "clean water" pumped into St. Lawrence River; SINGAPORE TRADER brought to Montreal

 

No pollution in Montreal Harbor

SANTAEVON

M/V

 

Survey

 

 

SARAH FRANK

Oil barge

Sank

Cleanup and pollution control by local vendors; salvage by lifting barge with DonJon Salvage Heavy Lift Floating Crane

 

Spilled large quantities of oil into Arthur Kill

SEA ALASKA

Fish processor

Dragged anchor and grounded

Refloated by fishing vessels

Success determined by availability of assisting vessels of opportunity

Returned to service

SEA LUCK

 

Stranded on reefs

No salvor; hired tugs and barges from east coast; lightered cargo to refloat

Fully loaded with phosphates; time critical to refloat before bottom breached on rocks in exposed position

 

SEASPAN RIGGER

Log barge

Grounded

Refloated by SALVAGE CHIEF

Broken in half; availability of salvage vessel

Returned to service

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Critical Factors

SEAWITCH STERN

M/V general cargo

Capsized

Drydocked in Brooklyn Navy Yard; complete salvage; towed to Newport News, VA

 

 

SENECA

 

Suffered severe storm damage; collision bulkhead collapsed; #1CT dumped into forepeak/focsle; propagating cracks in 4 consecutive main butt welds

Examined double bottoms, focsle, and deck at sea to determine imminent danger; moved vessel to still water in bay; delicate offload over one week

Severe owner interference

Sent ship to drydock

SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS

Passenger vessel

Caught fire

Crew and local firefighters extinguished fire

Time critical to loss of life

 

STAR 6

Tank barge

Intentionally grounded

Owners hired local contractor unable to provide necessary equipment and expertise; USCG lightered cargo; dewatered flooding wing tanks

 

Vessel moved to drydock

STEELHEAD

Oil production platform

Gas blowout and fire

Arrival of firefighting tug and two specialized high-output portable pumps (5,000 gpm/200 psi) mounted on vessels of opportunity; water used to cool platform structure while relief well was drilled to curtail flow of gas

Fire tug on-site within 18 hours of blowout; portable pumps arrived within 8 hours of request by owners

Successful"

STOLT EXCELLENCE

MV tanker

Aground

Lightering operation

 

 

STOLT SINCERITY

Chemical product tanker

Aground

Refloated, SASI

 

 

SUNDANCER

Cruise ship

Sunk after grounding

Refloated by Canadian company

Availability of assets

 

SWALLOW

M/V

Grounded

Lightened ship; refloated

 

 

T/B APEX 3417

 

Collision; vessel sank, closed Houston Ship Canal

Removed from channel with heavy lift cranes after several days;

Economic need to reopen Houston Ship Canal; time delays in completing salvage due to fears of spilling additional oil; financial problems of bankrupt owner; salvage might have been completed sooner had method been available to determine amount of oil remaining in tanks

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

T/B STAR 6

Barge

Leaking in its double hull voids and rakes

Tow to port in Texas using small pump to de-water voids; ran out of fuel for pump, barge began to sink; tow decided to return to point of origin (Mobile), heading up mean ship channel barge began to capsize; tow grounded barge which sank in 12 feet of water coming to rest at 45% angle along starboard bilge; local contractor hired to patch holes in, and de-water, voids; equipment and compatibility problems arose due to caustic cargo; Strike Team pumped out voids and rakes; lightered cargo to a second barge

Sunk barge in danger of sliding into and blocking Mobile Ship Canal and cutting off Mobile to all deep draft ship traffic

Sunken barge righted and refloated

TAE WONG

M/V

Aground

Developed method to ignite remaining petroleum products on board and conduct in situ burning response

Limits of liability; age of ship; remoteness of assets

 

TAO-191

Navy Fleet Tanker

Dead shift broke adrift from tow, stranded

Refloated by use of tugs and salvor DONJON MARINE

Time critical for vessel in exposed position

 

TAURO DEL GOLFO

M/V

 

Wet salvage

 

 

TENYO MARU

F/V

Sank in 500 feet water

Remotely operated vehicle with attached camera inserted hose into porthole and removed 26,000 gallons of oil

 

Removed 26,000 gallons of oil

TEXACO NORTH DAKOTA / KFDG

Product tanker

Collision

LOF SMIT/SASI offloaded; re floated

Loaded partly with gasoline

Docked in Port Arthur

TEXISTEPEC

Phosphate bulker

Stranded

Refloated

Time critical to remove from reef before breaking up on rocks in exposed seaway

 

TEXISTEPEC/

XCTW

M/V general cargo

Aground

Refloated; SMIT/SASI

 

 

THALASSINI EFHI/ELDF6

 

Aground second time

Refloat; tugs; LOF; SASI

 

 

THEANOULA

 

Flooded engine room

 

 

 

TIFOSO

Large tanker

Stranded on reef

Had to get large tugs to site; vessels bottom heavily damaged; CTL; refloated and sunk offshore

No cargo; time critical to refloat before vessel broke up and released bunkers

 

TIFOSO/ABGT

M/Tank

Grounded

Refloated; SMIT, SASI liaison

 

 

TONKAWA

Drilling barge

Capsized

Refloating with derrick barges

 

 

TOPAZ

Small freighter

Stranded on coral

Per USCG, needed to remove bunkers prior to refloat; almost impossible to pump out bunker "C" without heat on dead ship; no salvor, used passing tugs to refloat

No cargo on board; time critical to refloat before rocks breached hull in seaway

 

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×

Vessel Name

Vessel Type

Situation

Response

Critical Factors

Outcome

TORREY CANYON

VLCC

Grounding

Salvage Master and RN SupSalv on board, preparations being made to offload and de-water holed tank; explosion occurred incident to salvage preparations; Salvage Master killed; RAF bombed ship against advice of RN SupSalv in unsuccessful attempt to burn remaining cargo

Fully loaded, explosion occurred incident to salvage preparations

Major pollution occurred; ship total loss

TRITON C/ELAP

M/V general cargo

Aground

Part offloaded; SASI, refloated

 

 

TUGS TAMPICO

M/V

 

Wet salvage

 

 

TULA

M/V

 

Wet salvage

 

 

USCG MESQITE

 

Run aground

Successfully picked up after being aground all winter

Lost favorable weather window in December

Picked up in spring, hazardous materials removed, and scuttled

USNS MISSION SAN FRANCISCO

T-2 tanker

Collision; explosion; grounding; channel blockage; stern afloat, bow hard aground, loss of hull modulus in midbody

Joint response (USN, Merritt Chapman Scott); 102 tons of ballast loaded in stern as stability ballast; operation interrupted due to fog and ice floes; second collision occurred casting stem section loose; 102 tons of stability ballast in addition to mid-body bottom structure was sufficient for adequate stability; protection of environment consisted of state-of-the-art best effort to deploy booms

Sustained severe structural damage

Stern salved; bow and mid-body broken up by explosive cutting and wrecking grabs and disposed of

VEEDOL /ELWR

M/V bulk cargo

Aground

Refloated; SMIT/SASI; LOF

Aground at breakwater

 

VENCEMOS IV

 

Sank

 

Full cargo of cement; cement hardened bit by bit; lack of owner cooperation

CTL; wreck removal project

VENTURE LUNA

Cargo vessel

Grounded

Refloated by own efforts; hull holed and spilling oil required owners and P&I to make an OPA 90 response

 

Continued voyage with temporary repairs

WANDA WHEELOCK

Large ITB barge

Struck rock and sank

Lightened to sister barge; refloated

Obstructing river fairway

 

WEEKS #282

Barge

Sank

Refloated with pumps with local salvor

Time critical as blocking river fairway

 

WESTERN BARGE

 

 

Wet salvage

 

 

WYWURRY

MV bulkcarrier

Aground

Lightering operation

 

 

ZAMIA

M/V

 

Dry salvage

 

 

ZOE COLLOCOTRONI

44,000 dwt

Grounding

Offload of cargo using ships pumps, piping, and discharge connection

Weather cooperated; owner supplied lightering vessel which was anchored astern

Environmental pollution was minor

Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 89
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 90
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 91
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 92
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 93
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 94
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 95
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 96
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 97
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 98
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 99
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 100
Suggested Citation:"Appendix E: Instances of Salvage in U.S. Waters Reported to the Committee." National Research Council. 1994. Reassessment of the Marine Salvage Posture of the United States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4783.
×
Page 101
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Prompt and effective response to time-critical ship casualties and emergencies, for example, by refloating stranded ships, can prevent marine pollution and economic disruption of ports and waterways. The marine salvage industry, which conducts this work, has undergone significant changes in the past two decades. This book evaluates these changes and assesses the adequacy of marine salvage in the United States. Among the issues addressed are conditions in the salvage industry; emergency response-time; national salvage policy; workforce needs; salvage techniques; and the contribution of the Navy to the national salvage capability.

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