PRECAUTIONS AND TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSOSIATION WITH MARINE SALVAGE ACTIVITIES

Transcription

1 ARAB ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MARITIME TRANSPORT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL & MARINE ENGINEERING PRECAUTIONS AND TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSOSIATION WITH MARINE SALVAGE ACTIVITIES Submitted By Eng. Mohamed Fouad EL-Haddad A Thesis Submitted To The Mechanical & Marine Engineering Department In Fulfillment To The Requirements For A Master Degree In Marine Engineering. Supervised By Prof. Dr. Omar Abdel Aziz June 2002 Alexandria - Egypt

2 ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to present the precautions and technical considerations related to the business of marine salvage. The marine salvage services have a great advantage concerning the protection of environment and the preservation of souls and properties that are in peril at sea. However, only a few authorities in Egypt confine the business of marine salvage. Therefore, by this study, the maritime authorities, which are involved in this business, should be encouraged to develop their service, while other small companies should look for this business by another point of view, and try to conduct such service in order to increase the benefits of this business. The presented study introduces the types of marine salvage services, and the parties that may be involved in this business. Moreover, it describes the technical and management elements in salvage work. This is followed by a discussion for the legal and contractual aspects related to marine salvage, concerning the determination of salvage awards and the salvors misconceptions. In addition, part of the study is devoted to the surveys and the planning tasks, which were conducted prior the commencement of the salvage work. The different techniques for salvage operations have been surveyed and discussed, paying attention to the advantage and disadvantage of each technique. Then, the safety precaution for the salvage work was declared. Finally, a case study for a successful salvage operation, which was carried out for a capsized and sunken vessel at one of the Egyptian ports was represented, and the precautions and technical considerations were highlighted. The author attended this operation and put his remarks regarding the circumstances related to this salvage operation. I

3 DECLARATION This thesis is entirely the work of Eng. Mohamed Fouad EL-Haddad and has not been submitted before for a degree in this or any other college. Eng. Mohamed EL-Haddad is a B.Sc. graduate in Marine Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport, April 1998, with merit Excellent with Honor. The author is working as a teaching assistant at the college of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology. Moreover, he is working as a marine surveyor at Marine Surveyors Office for consulting and naval architecture. He is certified as a Dive Master, Rescue Diver, medic first aid diver, underwater welding and cutting, welding inspector, and he is experienced in underwater survey and salvage operations, as he practiced many salvage operations which were conducted by Suez Canal Authority. II

4 DEDICATION TO MY ALL FAMILY III

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Thanks to Allah the most gracious and the merciful, who helped me in achieving this work in its final form. I would like to express my deepest thanks Prof. Dr. Omar Abdel Aziz, Dean of College of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, for his invaluable advices, continuous encouragement, and for his constructive suggestions during the entire steps of the study. My special thanks to Prof. Dr. Hassan Rashied, Head of Mechanical & Marine Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, and all the staff members for their support and continuous encouragement. My deepest thanks to my father Eng. Fouad EL-Haddad, Suez Canal Authority, for his support and guidance by giving me information and knowledge based on his own practical experience. No word can express my cordial thanks to the staff members of Marine Surveyors Office Marisurv, who supplied me with the materials, and continuous encouragement. I owe special thanks to all those people, who provided me with their assistance and effort, which I will never forget. IV

6 LIST OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT. I DECLARATION II DEDICATION III ACKNOWLEDGEMENT... IV LIST OF CONTENTS.. V INTRODUCTION. IX Chapter (1) The Types of Marine Commercial Salvage. 1.1 Introduction Definition of Marine Salvage True Salvage or Casualty Salvage Recovery/Clearance/Wreck Removal Work Types of Marine Salvage Services Casualty Salvage Afloat Stranded Casualty Salvage Salvage of Sunken Vessels Cargo Salvage Activities Wreck Removal Operations Oilfield Salvage Operations Pollution Control and Abatement Special Object Recovery Parties Concerned with Salvage Services Parties Concerned with Salvage Services for Unladen Vessel Parties Concerned with Wreck Removal Services Parties Concerned with Salvage Services for Laden Vessel V

7 1.5 The Management Elements in Salvage Work Chapter (2) Legal and Contractual Aspects for Marine Salvage. 2.1 Introduction The Origins and Basis of Salvage Law Salvage Awards Determination of Salvage Awards The Sound Value The Deduction The Scrap Value The Cargo Values Freight Misconceptions and Modern Concepts Factors Influence the Court During the Determination of a Salvage Award The Salvor s Legal Obligations Chapter (3) Salvage Surveys and Planning for Operation. 3.1 Introduction Salvage Surveys The Aspect of a Salvage Plan Questions Relative to Salvage Plan Damage Control Actions Necessity to Keep Accurate Records.. 45 VI

8 Chapter (4) Salvage Operations and Techniques. 4.1 Introduction Induced Buoyancy Techniques Compressed Air Dewatering Expanded Foam Buoyancy System Compressed Air Lifting Bags Underwater Jetting and Tunneling Passing Wire Messengers Underneath Sunken Vessels Air Lift Rigging and Mechanical Lifting Methods Sea-Going Salvage Sheer Legs The Use of Ground Tackle Rigging for Parbuckling Work The Bilge Protection Plates when Lifting The Use of Jack for Lifting Chapter (5) Safety for Salvage Work. 5.1 Introduction Specific Precautions Personal Safety Cargo Handling Safety Towing Deck Safety Safety for Stowage of Hazardous Cargo General Safety Precautions Temporary Electrical Circuits on Salvage Tasks Safety in Work Boats Safety Training and Emergency Precautions. 93 VII

9 5.4 Fire Fighting Assessment of Fire Situation Fires in Cargo Holds Spaces Fires in Engine Rooms and Machinery Spaces Chapter (6) Case Study for The Salvage Operation of M/V Lyme Bay. 6.1 Introduction Basic Information Relating to the Vessel s Route Cause of the Vessel s Capsizing and Submersion Salvage Contract Salvage Survey and Planning The Salvage Operation The Preparation for the Salvage Operation Passing the Lifting Wires Under the Vessel Compressing Air Inside Ballast Water Tank The Uprighting Operation The Refloating Operation The Preparations for the Lifting Operations & Precautions Taken The Lifting Operation. 132 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES REFERANCES APPENDIX (A) APPENDIX (B) APPENDIX (C) APPENDIX (D) APPENDIX (E) VIII