Smit Salvage teams save storm casualties

In early November SMIT Salvage responded when the Bard 1 wind farm transformer platform, under tow off the UK coast, got into difficulties. The main tow connection parted and the emergency connection was sufficient only to hold station, rather than make progress. The problem developed during hostile weather in the Irish Sea. SMIT was contracted to restore the main tow connection and bring the platform to a safe position. Two tugs towed the Bard 1 to a sheltered location in the Bristol Channel.

SMIT’s workload in recent months also included no less than three Lloyd’s Forms in Moroccan waters. One case involved the grounded bulk carrier Furness Melbourne. The vessel went aground at the port of Jorf Lasfar on 5 January. This ship had been loading fertiliser when its moorings parted in a storm. It drifted out and grounded close to the breakwater. This salvage was a challenge, the vessel was very close in, with 10 tanks tidal, from forepeak to aft section. Fortunately the engine room remained dry. In order to refloat the vessel, some cargo lightering was required and the casualty subsequently was refloated by two tugs, following the pressurisation of damaged compartments.

Remarkably, during this operation the salvage team saw another bulk carrier, Mercury K, develop engine failure on 10 January and go aground between the breakwaters. They responded with a tug and Salvage Master. An inspection found that the Mercury K, carrying a coal cargo, had two midships holds damaged and tidal. A Lloyd’s Form was obtained. Temporary repairs were made and, subsequently, Mercury K was towed to Spain. The casualty entered Cadiz Port and was moored alongside for discharge prior to moving to a local shipyard, where salvage services were terminated.

The first of the three salvage operations in Moroccan waters happened during the final days of December, when the 6,100 DWT Rayben Star lost power. The owners agreed Lloyd’s Form. A tug went to render this casualty assistance and a SMIT salvage team was mobilised to Casablanca. Rayben Star was towed to safety at Casablanca and redelivered.

The final quarter of last year saw SMIT Salvage local partners Jadranski Pomorski Servis (JPS) secure a Lloyd’s Form on the passenger vessel Marko Polo, when it grounded on 24 October. The grounding occurred in Croatian waters, during a voyage to Split.

An assessment of the casualty led to the conclusion that tugs alone would not refloat this vessel. Instead, SMIT Salvage and JPS devised a plan using a combination of skid beams and lifting bags, to reduce the friction coefficient and so allow the vessel to be pulled free by tugs.

Strongpoints were positioned on Marko Polo’s aft deck. Working forward, another team cut away part of the bulbous bow and installed skid beams. On the completion of several weeks’ work, three JPS tugs succeeded in freeing the Marko Polo, which was towed to Mali Losinj and redelivered.