Anchoring

MAIB Repots on Pipeline Damage

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation of an oil tanker, on June 25, 2007, dragging its anchor in the North Sea five miles east of Teesport and snagging a natural gas pipeline, resulting in material damage to the pipe, but no release of product. Due to heavy weather, the ship started to drag anchor. While weighing anchor so as to get underway, the ship’s windlass hydraulic motor exploded and the cable ran out to the bitter end. The tanker continued to drag anchor and snagged the pipeline. When the ship yawed, the anchor came free of the pipeline, but not before dislodging and damaging the pipe. The anchor later held as the ship rode over a shoal patch. Investigation revealed that the anchorage was not recommended in the forecast conditions and that the risk of placing a pipeline and an anchorage area in close proximity had not been properly evaluated. Interestingly, the local port authority had specifically approved the anchoring. Report No. 3/2008 (HK Law).

BP Tankers Back in Service Following Anchor Malfunction

BP says it has put a fleet of double-hull tankers back in service after two ships lost their anchors last month in the Gulf of Alaska. The Alaskan Navigator and the Alaskan Frontier have each been outfitted with two new anchors. A spokesman said an investigation found the metal in the China-made anchors might not have been properly tempered to strengthen the metal. Beaudo says the fleet's operator, Alaska Tanker Co. of Beaverton, Ore

Aker Marine And Vryhof Sign Letter Of Intent

Aker Marine Contractors, (AMC) a subsidiary of Aker Maritime, and Vryhof Anchors have penned a Letter of Intent to extend their cooperation agreement through their U.S.-based joint venture company - TACP/Aker LLC. According to this new agreement, AMC will sell to Vryhof the substantial assets and rights of Sea Talon Anchors, which was attained by AMC in 1988. Within their core business, Vryhof will continue to focus on the design and manufacturing of high holding power drag embedment anchors

Bill to Require Anchors, Manned Barges

The Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agirculture of the Massachussets legislature held a hearing on a bill to require tank barges carrying petroleum products to be equipped with an anchor system, anchor chain and windlass. The bill would also require tank barges to be manned unless the Department of Environmental Protection determines other technical or operational saftey measures provide an equivalent defree of protection.

ASL Marine Secures New Contracts

ASL Marine has secured new shipbuilding contracts. The contracts are for the construction of six Anchor Handling Towing/ Supply Vessels, which are used to tow and anchor oil rig platforms as well as other support services. Five of the units are expected to be completed in 2009, and the remaining unit in early 2010. Just three weeks ago, ASL Marine announced it had secured contracts for one unit of Heavy Lift cum Pipelay Vessel and six units of Rotor Tugs. Source: CNA

Divers Find Caribbean Island Pewter Treasure

Shipwreck reveals precious coins, rare pewter artifacts to salvors at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The most important shipwreck of its kind dating from the 1500s was recently discovered by Anchor Research & Salvage SRL. According to noted pewter expert Martin Roberts "Pewter finds from the 2012 diving season continue to support present hypotheses on date and origin while also surprising collectors and challenging orthodox knowledge of the mid-16th Century pewter trade

MAIB Reports on Grounding of M/V WILLY

According to a report issued by the U.K. Department for Transport, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has concluded that the grounding of the M/V WILLY in Cawsand Bay on January 1 was caused by the use of insufficient cable on the anchor. A secondary cause was the failure of the Officer of the Watch to promptly detect that the anchor was dragging.

Tidewater Completes $79M ENSCO Deal

Tidewater has completed a previously announced transaction, acquiring the 27-vessel fleet from ENSCO International. The five anchor handling towing-supply vessels, six modern large capacity 220-ft. "stretched" platform supply vessels, 13 standard supply vessels and three utility vessels were acquired for a cash price of $79 million. Also included in the agreement is a provision which affords Tidewater the opportunity to provide supply

Blast in Greek Tanker Kills Worker

An oxygen bottle exploded in the hold of a Greek tanker anchored near Athens on Sunday, killing a repairman and injuring three others, a Merchant Marine Ministry spokeswoman said. The bottle, which was being used for repairs, ripped through the hold of the “Marianna” while the four men were working. “The tanker was anchored near the Motor Oil refinery in Agii Thjeodori”, the spokeswoman said. The tanker was empty at the time and there was no damage to the refinery. - (Reuters)

Bulker Refloated

The St. Vincent and Grenadines-flagged bulker Pooja, was refloated on October 30 at Carrick roads by a tug and then towed to Falmouth, England, Reuters reported. No pollution was reported. The 33,111 dwt bulker ran into trouble after it started to drag its anchor in bad weather. It did manage to raise its anchor but subsequently ran aground on Monday in the entrance to Carrick roads.