Salvage World Q1 2015

April 2015 INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION

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New European Union Places of Refuge Guidelines by year end – UK SOSREP

Hugh Shaw (above) and Tom Bolt (below left) speaking at the ISU Associate Members' Day Conference in London.

The UK Secretary of State’s Representative for Salvage and Maritime Intervention (SOSREP), Hugh Shaw, told delegates at the ISU’s annual conference for its Associate Members that good progress was being made at EU level on its initiative to improve states’ performance on Places of Refuge.

Mr Shaw explained the process to draft new guidelines which are expected to be tested in a drill in the autumn leading to final revision and publication. ISU, among other shipping organisations, has made representations to the EU and has been involved in the work.

Mr Shaw said that part of the problem was about to whom approaches for a Place of Refuge should be made. He said that a list of designated contact points and a standard formal request template would help.

He also said that, unless it was unsafe to do so, there should be no rejection of a casualty without inspection. Mr Shaw added that new guidelines should be available by the end of 2015. It came as ISU member Nippon Salvage

reported a new struggle – similar to that of the 2014 case of the Maritime Maisie - to find a place of refuge for a casualty off the Republic of Korea.

Elsewhere the conference keynote speaker, Tom Bolt, Performance Management Director, Lloyd's, said he recognised that many people do not properly understand LOF and added that Lloyd’s is addressing this with communication initiatives such as a new video explaining LOF and which he showed to delegates.

Mr Bolt also highlighted the risks presented by cyber attacks - including the implications for the operation of individual vessels.

He also noted the increase in the size of the largest containerships - with a capacity of more than 19,000 teu - and questioned whether there was merit in considering a joint insurance and shipping industry approach to preparing

for the possibility of handling vast ships as casualties.

A record 220 delegates attended the ISU Associate Members’ Day Conference at London's Merchant Taylors' Hall. Other matters discussed included criminalisation of seafarers and the Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF) salvage contract and the state of the salvage industry.

The conference also included a ceremony at which the ISU’s Meritorious Service Award was presented to the Titan/Micoperi team responsible for the successful COSTA CONCORDIA wreck removal (see P10).

Commenting on the success of the conference Mr Muller said: “It has been fantastic to have so many delegates with us today. It reinforces the importance of salvage to the shipping industry and its associated professional services. In particular we were pleased to hear of some progress, at least in Europe, on the

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ISU NEWS

New Member

ISU welcomes Mubarak Marine LLC as a full member of ISU

POBox 7220 Dubai UAE

Telephone: +971-4-2660160 Email: [email protected]

ISU5 Guarantee

The ISU5 Guarantee has been revised and the new version is available for immediate use.

The revision has been made because the ISU had noted that the text of the former ISU5 form is inconsistent with the provisions of SCOPIC. In particular, whereas SCOPIC Sub Clause 3 entitles the contractor to require initial security and, where justified, increased security, the former ISU5 form contained an undertaking not to re-arrest and as such frustrates any attempt to compel the provision of supplementary security.

The ISU and the International Group of P&I Clubs have worked to remedy the inconsistency which has been resolved in the new ISU5 form.

The main changes to ISU5 are in Clause 5 but the opportunity has been taken to make some neutral changes to the language of the original to make it more consistent with that commonly in use. In

ISU Annual Dinner

The ISU hosted its annual dinner for guests from the shipping industry and professional services connected to salvage.

It included representatives from the Titan-Micoperi team that won the ISU Meritorious Service Award as well as speakers from the ISU Associate Members’ Day Conference. The event was held in historic Trinity House in the City of London.

addition, there is scope in the new ISU5 to make the initial security demand more than the minimum US$ 3 million if agreed by both parties.

Daily Salvage Reports

The trial of a system of Daily Salvage Reports for Lloyd’s Open Form cases without SCOPIC is reported to working well.

Lloyd’s says that it is treating the salvors’ sitreps “in a similar fashion to the way we treat the SCR’s report in a SCOPIC case, namely, upon receipt of the Daily Salvage Reports, the Salvage Arbitration Branch will distribute them to any parties who have notified it of their interest in the case, so long as that interest is genuine.

"In reality, the reports are usually forwarded to the solicitors representing the property insurers or to the insurers directly if they are not represented.”

Lloyd’s notes that it has been receiving the salvors’ reports in most cases.

SCRs’ Seminar

ISU and the International Group of P&I Clubs hosted the biennial seminar for the industry’s Special Casualty Representatives on HQS Wellington on the river Thames in London. The seminar updated delegates on the SCR Guidelines; considered recent noteworthy

cases and there was a panel discussion and an opportunity for the SCRs, salvors and P&I Club representatives to meet and discuss current issues.

Stephen Tierney, TMC Marine Consultants

addresses the SCRs' Seminar.

SCOPIC

The SCOPIC Committee has added the following to the list of SCRs:

Francis low Rich Habib Hans Olav Langsrud Bart Huizing

Pictures: (above left) David Lawrence, Andrew Bardot, Lars Lange. (Main: Leendert Muller, ISU President, welcomes guests to the dinner. (Bottom rig ht, left to right) Nick Sloane, Sergio Girotto, Rich Habib, Joop Timmermans.

ISU members in major contribution to environmental protection in 2014

Note: changed survey methodology for 2014 invalidates direct comparison of totals and some sub-categories. All figures in tonnes

216 190

83,698 106,146

194,880 165,395

102,939 147,987

901,373 N/A

356,265 N/A (Nominal 15 tonnes/TEU)

16,244 299,074

1,655,399 718,602

2014 2013

Number of services

Bunker fuel

Oil cargo

Chemicals

Bulk polluting/hazardous

TEU (tonnes equivalent)

Other pollutants

Totals

Members of the ISU provided 216 services to vessels carrying 1,655,399 tonnes of potentially polluting cargoes during operations in 2014 in a demonstration of the value of their work towards protecting the marine environment.

President of the ISU, Leendert Muller, said: “Yet again our members are to be congratulated for the great benefit they have delivered in helping to protect the marine environment from potential damage. We represent a vital service to both the shipping industry and wider society. Shipping has generally become safer but everyone in the industry should be aware that just one major casualty could cause an environmental disaster.”

The ISU’s 2014 Pollution Prevention Survey has been re-based and so direct comparisons with previous years’ totals and some sub-categories are not appropriate. The 2013 version of the survey showed ISU members salved 718,000 tonnes of potential pollutants in 190 services.

Commenting further on the results, Mr Muller said: “ISU was concerned that its annual pollution survey should be updated. The survey started in 1994 - when the threat, and fear, of pollution was driven by disasters associated with VLCCs. That threat still exists but coastal states now consider most cargo to be potentially polluting. And containerised cargo has grown hugely in both total volumes and the capacity of boxships. Containers are undoubtedly a potential

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pollutant and it is right that our survey records them as such.

“ISU is careful to point out that not all of the salved cargo noted in the survey was at imminent risk of going into the sea. But even with a relatively simple rescue tow it is worth considering what the consequences might be if there was no commercial provision of salvage services.”

The new format of the survey records separately for the first time dirty or hazardous bulk cargo and containers (by tonnes equivalent). It takes account of the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), Intercargo guidance, P&I Club

guidance; International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation publications and the International Solid Bulk Cargoes Code. The attitude of coastal state authorities has also been considered based on ISU members’ operational experience.

The figures for 2014 therefore represent a modified survey and will create a new baseline against which future years may be compared.

In 2014 ISU members provided 216 services. Variants of wreck removal contracts were used in 61 services; Lloyd’s Open Form – 29 services (44 in 2013); towage contracts – 29 services; Japanese Form – 19 services; Fixed Price – 4 services; Day Rate – 12 services; other contracts – 32 services.

Multraship recovers bargeMultraship has salvaged the sand/riverbarge RICK which capsized whilst loading sand in the River Scheldt off Breskens in early February.

The captain of the barge has not been found, one crew member was able to jump clear and was taken on board the dredger which the barge was alongside. Another crew member – the father of the captain – was trapped in the vessel’s accommodation. The vessel was upside down and he survived for eight hours in an air pocket until the Multraship team located him and rescued him.

Multraship’s Eline Muller said: “We’re extremely proud of the salvage team, in particular John Gazan and Hans van Leeuwen, for their persistance in

continuing their search and their courage.”

The firm’s sheerleg CORMORANT managed to parbuckle the ship a day

later but, despite further searching by Multraship, the Lifeboat Association and the authorities, the missing man has not been found.

Picture © P Buteyn

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Members’ News

Multraship

Multraship has taken delivery of the MULTRATUG 28, an energy-efficient hybrid Damen ASD 2810-type tug with FiFi 1 firefighting capabilities, into its fleet. Damen’s ASD 2810 Hybrid is a new design and this is the second of its class to be built. It features diesel-direct, diesel-electric and battery-powered propulsion systems. This hybrid configuration will enable Multraship to lower fuel costs by up to 30 percent and emissions by up to 60 percent.

Two further Damen ASD tugs are scheduled for delivery to Multrahip later in the year.

Multraship managing director Leendert Muller said: “This new tug will provide clean and energy-efficient harbour towage in the Zeeland Seaports and Antwerp areas. It will also be on standby for fire or explosion-related emergencies in the western and central part of the River Scheldt and for offshore services. As a traditional family-owned towage and salvage company we are very proud to be one of the world leaders in the deployment of hybrid tugs which set new benchmarks for environmentally-friendly operation.”

Titan COSTA CONCORDIA publication

Titan Salvage’s parent, Crowley, has published a comprehensive magazine about the COSTA CONCORDIA project. It includes information, slideshows, videos and new commentary on the operation. For more information go to http://bit.ly/1BxvVtU.

James Fisher and Subtech

The UK’s James Fisher has acquired fellow ISU member Subtech in a transaction with an initial consideration of £3.4m in cash plus potential future consideration up to a maximum of £9.9m based on Subtech achieving profit targets in 2015 and 2017.

Subtech is a South African-based marine and sub-sea service provider with activities also in Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and Tanzania with expertise in marine construction projects, submarine pipeline installation and maintenance, specialised marine engineering projects, diving and salvage

Greg Raaff, CEO of Subtech, and its senior management team will all continue with the company.

Nick Henry, CEO of James Fisher, said: “The acquisition of Subtech broadens our presence in the growing markets around Africa. Subtech’s marine and subsea services are very complementary to our own. We are looking forward to working

together with the Subtech team.”

Boluda

Boluda has been in towing action. The tug VB ÁRTICO from the Offshore Division of Boluda Towage and Salvage is seen here towing the accommodation barge Elikia from the Dutch port of Harlinguen to Congo.

Elsewhere the tugs VB GASCOGNE, VB OCTEVILLE and VB PUISSANT, from the fleet of Boluda France, towed a large meteorological wind mast at Fécam off the French coast near Le Havre. The mast is 90 meters high and with its concrete base weighs 1,800 tons.

Spanopoulos

Spanopoulos Salvage has safely refloated the sunken caisson barge Piraeus V (below) at the port of Limassol, Cyprus. The operation used air lifting in an average water depth of 17 meters under LOF 2011 terms and conditions.

Picture: maritimephoto.com

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Group OceanIn late December 2014, a 39 metre tug, the DETERMINATION CHAULK, stranded at the Port of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) immediately attended the site and determined that the salvage would be complex because of the extreme weather conditions in Quebec, the presence of fuel and oil on board the ship and its weakened structure.

CCG requested Group Ocean to assist with the removal of the casualty. Ocean’s team designed and produced five cranes with a capacity of 125 tons, and constructed from 18 foot H-beams and mounted on pivots to be bolted directly to the sectional barges on the site. Each crane had a five strand cable, an inch and a half in diameter.

At the same time a dive inspection took place and then 48 tonnes of fuel was removed and plates bolted to the tug to provide fastenings for the cranes. It took 19 days for divers to prepare the refloating.

The 22 sectional barges, five winches and two hydraulic units were then positioned on the site and the refloating of the 825 tonne tug, with each tank being pressurised one by one, was

Tsavliris operationsIn January, Tsavliris' tug MEGAS ALEXANDROS provided assistance the general cargo vessel LADY GAIA - 7,643 tonnes dwt and fully laden with cement - which was immobilized due to main engine failure in Kafireas straits, north of Andros Island. The casualty was safely towed to Piraeus.

Also in January, Tsavliris provided salvage assistance to the general cargo vessel ANDROMEDA S - 3,170 tonnes dwt and laden with Borax Pentahydrate - which experienced engine failure about 50 miles south east of Tarragona, Spain. Adverse weather and strong currents meant the vessel drifted towards the northern coast of Majorca. The salvage tug MARTA MATA was dispatched from Palma de Mallorca and towed the distressed vessel to Palma de Mallorca Port. The casualty was subsequently safely towed to the discharge Port of Tarragona.

In March, the chemical/products tanker FT ODIN - 3,471 dwt and in ballast - experienced mechanical failure en route

safely achieved with careful pumping to ensure water in the casualty was evenly distributed to maintain trim.

Some 25 workers were involved in temperatures down to -40 degrees centigrade. During the operation,

ice contaminated by hydrocarbons was recovered and placed in sealed containers to be disposed of when the thaw will separate water from contaminants, and there was no environmental impact.

from Italy to Egypt and was adrift 12 miles from Kythira Island, Greece. Tsavliris was contracted to provide salvage assistance and the tug CHRISTOS XVIII sailed from Crete to the casualty which was drifting towards the shore under gale conditions. The passing chemical/product tanker MEDKEM THREE tried to connect to prevent the casualty from grounding. The FT ODIN managed to anchor but began to drag her anchors. On arrival, CHRISTOS

XVIII made a connection with the casualty which was safely towed to Gulluk in Turkey.

Elsewhere, Tsavliris has been contracted to provide technical consultancy and support including planning, surveillance and risk assessment to CHEC, a Chinese civil engineering company, for the refloating of the cutter suction dredger TIANDAO which caught fire, capsized and sank at the Port of Gizan in Saudi Arabia (below).

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In late December 2014 the ROPAX NORMAN ATLANTIC suffered a fire en-route from Patras in Greece to Ancona, Italy. At least 12 people lost their lives as a result of the fire, two tug crew members died during the rescue operation and others – an uncertain number – remain missing. That is a tragedy deserving of everyone’s sympathy. A rescue operation involving helicopters, the ship’s lifeboats and passing craft saved many lives which is to be welcomed. It is harder to be kind about the behaviour of the authorities as events unfolded in the cold, winter Adriatic.

Professional salvors were on scene quickly with a firefighting tug. Scarcely had they begun boundary cooling when ordered by the Italian authorities to cease operations. Of course it is unwise to speculate about the possible outcome

The vehicle carrier HOEGH OSAKA - 51,770 grt - was en route from Southampton to Germany when she developed a 50 degree list to starboard and ran aground in The Solent on the 04 January 2015.

Svitzer Towage and Solent Towage mobilized tugs from Southampton to the site. Later that evening, Svitzer Salvage was contracted on the basis of a Lloyd’s Open Form to salvage the vessel.

It was a major media even in the UK as the grounding site was close to shore on the heavily populated south coast of England.

Svitzer Salvage mobilized a salvage crew which was on site the following day with the initial aim to stabilize the vessel and avoid any pollution. The vessel refloated on the 07 January with the list still at 50 degrees and, with the agreement of the authorities, was towed to a safe location. The subsequent week was spent preparing the vessel for bringing her upright by installing pumps, power packs, securing the cargo, and rigging the pumping and ballasting system of the vessel.

Pumping out of the casualty began on 18 January and continued in a gradual and controlled manner until the list was reduced enough to allow for a safe tow into Southampton on the 22 January. She was berthed and redelivered to her owners on the 23 of January. At the peak of the operation, Svitzer had a

of a professional firefighting and salvage operation that was stopped almost before it had got underway. But ISU members have a proud record of effective firefighting in difficult circumstances. Operations were stopped supposedly because the vessel had been deemed a crime scene. The involvement of many parties including politicians – the Italian prime minister gave a commentary on the incident – the Italian Coast Guard and Italian Navy made for poor decision making and the vessel was duly brought to Brindisi still alight and continued to burn, alongside, for nearly two weeks.

In an excellent talk at the ISU and P&I Clubs SCR seminar, Stephen Tierney, of TMC Marine Consultants, compared the authorities’ handling of the NORMAN ATLANTIC with that of the bulker KIANU SATU which grounded on the

salvage team of 14 people on site, three tugs, three workboats and a helicopter in addition to all the necessary salvage equipment.

Also in January, the cargo ship CEMFJORD, carrying cement, was lost with all eight crew in the Pentland Firth between Scotland and the Orkneys. And the general cargo vessel LYSBLINK SEAWAYS went aground north of the Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency tasked the Emergency Towing Vessel

coast of South Africa with potential for environmental damage. Despite the reputational risks, the South African Maritime Safety Agency handled the incident wisely and with confidence, maintaining dialogue with all stakeholders while allowing professional salvors and consultants to get on with the job. In short, the casualty was pulled from the shore in a tricky operation with minimal delay thereby avoiding a protracted and costly wreck removal.

The two incidents may be very different but have a common link. ISU has long called for robust single point accountability and decision making without political interference and these two recent casualties are evidence enough of why it is required.

Heracles and the vessel’s owners engaged salvors. Bunkers were pumped off the casualty before she was towed safely to Clydeport.

Hugh Shaw, the UK SOSREP said: “I’m delighted with the way this operation has been carried out. It has been a great example of how co-operation between many people and organisations can make a difference in a potentially challenging situation and I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved, particularly the salvors and the Scottish Environment Group.”

UK New Year casualties

NORMAN ATLANTIC - editor’s comment

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ISU welcomes the following new Associate Members: Falck Safety ServicesBeerweg 101 3199LM Maasvlakte, Rotterdam The Netherlands

Tel: +31 181 376 666 [email protected] www.falcksafetyservices.nl

Nofa & Marsac International BV

Jan van Galenstraat 41 3115 JG Schiedam, The Netherlands Tel: +31 653 67 23 92 [email protected] www.nofamarsac.nl.

Quest Marine Consultant Company Limited

Room1034/1035, R & F Goodrich Building, No.2 Huaqiang Road Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China Tel: 86 20 38315084 [email protected]; [email protected]

RH Marine Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 4225 Jackson, WY 83001, USA Tel: +1 (954) 309-6515 [email protected] www.rhsalvage.com

Dutch Marine

Scottstraat 12, 4562BH Hulst, The Netherlands Tel: +31 610 994600 [email protected] www.dutchmarinebv.com

Tatham Macinnes Stephen Askins, a leading expert on piracy and terrorism issues, is joining Tatham Macinnes LLP from Ince & Co LLP as a partner.

Stephen, a former Royal Marine, is well-known as an expert on casualty response and in particular piracy, maritime terrorism and the use of armed guards at sea. He has managed many serious piracy and hostage incidents. He was also part of the drafting committee which produced GUARDCON, the BIMCO standard contract for the employment of security guards on board merchant ships.

Associates’ News

Mr Askins is also acknowledged as an expert on the legal and practical issues of operating in complex environments, including Libya, Crimea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea. More recently, he has been dealing with the issues arising out of trading to Ebola-affected areas.

The firm has also moved to new offices:

1-2 Gracechurch Street City of London EC3V 0DD Tel +44 (0)207 929 2957

American Salvage Association

The ASA has won the Lloyd’s List 2015 North American Maritime Award for "Marine Casualty Response.” The award was accepted on behalf of the Association by Vice President Todd Schauer who said: "The real credit belongs to the many ASA members that are steadily expanding their capabilities and influence in the US and globally with innovative, professional, and cost effective salvage services."

Shipowners The Shipowners’ P&I Club has announced the appointment of Simon Swallow as Chief Executive, in succession to Charles Hume.

Chairman, Philip Orme, said: “I am delighted that the Board has appointed Simon Swallow a Chief Executive. Simon is very well known in the market, having been with the Club for over 23 years. As Commercial Director in recent years he has led the business development of the Club and I have no doubt that he will build on that success as Chief Executive.”

European Tugowners’ Association

The European Tugowners’ Association has finalised a concise set of "Guidelines for Safe Harbour Towage Operations."

It follows publication in 2011 of the joint ETA/EMPA “Guidelines on Design and Layout of Harbour Towage Equipment”. ETA identified further operational safety risks that needed to be addressed by general guidelines which come under the remit of the ETA's Technical Nautical Committee, chaired by Petersen & Alpers' Peter Lindenau, supported by Raymond Bartolo from Tug Malta, Leendert Muller from Multraship and Michael Stauffeldt from URAG.

The Guidelines were launched in Antwerp during European Shipping

Week by Captain Yves Beeckman whose contribution and experience was instrumental in the drafting of the guidelines which are available at: http://www.eurotugowners.com

Hill Dickinson

Hill Dickinson has announced the recruitment of Rachel Hoyland as a Senior Associate in its shipping team. Rachel was the in-house Head of Legal with CMA CGM (UK) Shipping Ltd and is an experienced dry shipping lawyer. She will be based in the Liverpool office of Hill Dickinson, but will be working closely with the London office.

IUMI

Following the casualty of the HOEGH OSAKA, IUMI has said the wider issue of RoRo and RoPax safety is a cause of concern amongst hull and cargo underwriters.

Mark Edmondson, Chairman of the Ocean Hull Technical Committee, IUMI, noted that questions have been raised about the safety of pure car and truck carriers (PCC/PTCs). He pointed out that the HOEGH OSAKA was a potentially more serious accident and that, while the accident report is yet to be published, there are similarities to the case of the COUGAR ACE in 2006 in the northern Pacific.

The vessels have recognised design and structural features that make them unusual and they require careful handling. Mr Edmondson also said there can be enhanced underwriting exposure to such vessels as modern cargo policy forms often provide cover even where there is little apparent physical damage to the cargo vehicles in question.

Van Heck

Van Heck’s Sea Trophy system has been nominated as an 'incentive provider' to the Green Award Scheme run by the independent Green Award Foundation originally established in 1994 as an environmental initiative of the Rotterdam Municipal Port Management and the Dutch Ministry of Transport. The Green Award gives international recognition to extra clean, extra safe seagoing vessels.

Sea Trophy is an innovative oil recovery system which enables the quick and safe removal of off-specification fuel or removal of bunkers in the event of a casualty. Sea Trophy can be inserted through access points with a diameter of 200 mm and rental sets can be shipped world-wide.

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ISU Associate Member, Briggs Marine carried out the recovery of a stricken cable plough off the coast of Skye, Scotland, in water depth of 130 metres.

The plough was conducting fibre optic cable installations for Orange Marine when it hit an uncharted mud bank, immersing the 40 tonne Elodie plough in heavy sediment. The installation vessel attempted to recover the plough but the line parted at 130 tonnes strain.

Briggs Marine activated its team to develop a method that would recover the plough in situ without causing damage to its unique burial system. Briggs manufactured a bespoke grab for the task (right).

Briggs worked closely with UTROV, an ROV system designed with specialist

ISU Associate, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, deployed the its Level 2 ETV, SMIT LEOPARD in January to respond to the general cargo vessel THOR COMMANDER which was immobilised and drifting towards Perkins Reef.

SMIT and the owners of THOR COMMANDER entered into a commercial agreement for towage operations shortly after this activation but AMSA decided to activate the Level 1 ETV, CORAL KNIGHT, to assist with towage and undertake pollution response operations if the casualty grounded. AMSA also deployed a Marine Casualty Officer and pollution response equipment to Gladstone.

The Australia authorities sent out an ‘All Ships’ broadcast requesting vessels in the area to assist and received a response from the Chinese cargo vessel XINFA HAI and the Queensland police vessel LYLE M HOEY and both offered assistance.

The owners of the XINFA HAI and THOR COMMANDER failed to agree on a commercial towing or salvage contract and the Maritime Emergency Response Commander therefore directed both vessels under the Powers of Intervention Act to undertake a towing operation in

Recovery of fibre optic sub-sea cable plough

tooling, including a mass flow excavator, with the capability to deploy the grab. The spread was mobilised on the KINGDOM

OF FIFE and proceeded to site.

The plough was found to be almost completely buried. The mass flow excavator was employed to remove the sediment around the system allowing access to the tow bar. Once free, the grab was deployed, which hooked the plough at the first attempt.

The plough was lifted off the seabed and towed to shallow water where Briggs’ divers were able to reconnect the plough to the installation vessel. The plough was recovered in working order, allowing the installation vessel to continue ploughing within 24 hours of receiving the plough back on deck.

The operation took less than 10 days from instruction to recovery on deck, this included design and manufacture of the grab.

addition to the P&I Club, Skuld, providing a Letter of Undertaking.

The operation was successful with the LYLE M HOEY passing the messenger line between the vessels. The THOR COMMANDER was successfully diverted away from the reef and towed to a safer location. SMIT LEOPARD later safely

towed the THOR COMMANDER to the Port of Gladstone.

AMSA presented the Master and crew of XINFA HAI with a plaque and certificate in recognition of outstanding seamanship after successfully taking the stricken THOR COMMANDER under tow.

Australian salvage operation

Captain and crew member of MV XINFA HAI with AMSA Marine Surveyor, Greg Collinson (centre)

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ISU PHOTO COMPETITION 2014

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ISU Photograph Competition 2014 shortlisted entries

1. MV Smart, Titan Salvage (winner)

2. Rena, Resolve Marine

3. Yusuf Cepnioglu, Tsavliris Salvage

4. Car Carrier, Fratelli Neri

5. Racing Yacht, Svitzer Salvage

6. Maritime Maisie, Nippon Salvage

7. Bulker refloat, China Rescue and

Salvage

8. Yusuf Cepnioglu, Spanopoulos Group

9. Bakery shop on Giglio, Fratelli Neri

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The ISU Meritorious Service Award has been presented for only the second time. The award is not intended to be issued annually but only as and when there is outstanding service to the salvage industry that should be publicly recognized and it is not specifically a bravery award. It may be made to individuals or groups.

The award was given to the Titan-Micoperi COSTA CONCORDIA project team, including all the men and woman who played their part in the parbuckling, refloating and removal of the COSTA CONCORDIA, the largest single wreck removal undertaken.

In making the award, ISU President, Leendert Muller, said: “The technically challenging project was successfully carried out in the full and critical view of the world’s media. It was a superbly executed job that brought credit not only to the individuals and companies involved but also to the wider salvage industry.”

ISU Meritorious Service Award

Above (left to right): Rich Habib (Titan when the job was done, now independent consultant); Nick Sloane (Titan’s senior salvage master on the job now independent consultant); Sergio Girotto (Micoperi); Marco Bertoli (Micoperi); Todd Busch (Titan) Leendert Muller (ISU President)

Right: COSTA CONCORDIA soon after the disaster

International Monitor

Liberia

The Liberia Registry has launched a new online application system making the delivery of Wreck Removal Convention Certificates faster and more convenient for shipowners. It helps shipowners to comply with the requirements of the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 (WRC), which comes into force on 14 April, 2015.

The convention requires owners of vessels of 300 gt and above to carry a certificate as evidence of compliance that insurance or financial security is in place to cover their liability under the convention.

Liberia is thus far the largest flag State party to WRC.

At the same time, the registry said that it now includes more 800 Greek owned ships, 10 more than registered under the Greek flag, and 300 more than are registered under the flag of Panama.

Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, said: “The shipping ties between Greece and Liberia have become even stronger during the extremely difficult economic climate of the past six years, and it is gratifying to see that the Liberian flag is now the number one choice of Greek owners and operators."

EU migrant deaths

Shipping associations and Members of the European Parliament have said there is a an urgent need within Europe to address the root cause of migrants at sea and the European Union needs to adopt a more proactive approach in preventing this human tragedy getting any worse.

A workshop on the issue of large scale rescues at sea, organised by InterManager in association with the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) held in Brussels, said that Europe and the international community needed to focus more on preventing the problem.

Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of ISU Affiliate, InterManager, said: “This was an important opportunity to share best practice and together consider the challenges faced by our vessels when coming to the aid of large numbers of people in danger at sea.” He highlighted the key conclusions of the workshop as:

• The need to create alternative escape

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routes for migrants to help reduce the number of people choosing maritime routes.

• The need for the IMO to give its full consideration to ensuring SOLAS and all relevant Conventions take into account this new phenomenon of mass rescues.

• The need for shipping companies operating in areas such as the Mediterranean to ensure their vessels and crews are fully prepared for mass rescues.

• The need for ISM procedures and shore staff to be ‎aware of emergency procedures in order to fully support ship's staff

• The need for the shipping industry to work together to implement mass rescue best practice procedures.

• The need to raise general awareness of the excellent job the shipping industry is doing in providing help and assistance to those in danger at sea.

COSTA CONCORDIA Trial

Captain Francesco Schettino has been found guilty of multiple manslaughter in Italy and sentenced to 16 years in jail for his part in the disaster.

32 two people died when the cruise ship hit rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio in January 2012. Captain Schettino was also convicted of causing the shipwreck and abandoning ship before his passengers. He has accepted some responsibility but denies the criminal charges, arguing that he has been made a scapegoat for the tragedy.

Flag State Performance

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table which can be downloaded free of charge via the ICS website: www.ics-shipping.org/docs/flag-state-performance-table

ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe remarked: “The very largest flag states, such as the Bahamas, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, as well as Hong Kong, Singapore, Cyprus and Greece, all continue to demonstrate very impressive levels of performance, as do all of the other large European and Asian flags.”

ICS says there are a number of smaller flag states that still have considerable work to do, and it continues to suggest that shipowners should “think very

carefully about using such flags.”

London International Shipping Week (LISW)

LISW takes place 7 – 11 September with a number of industry functions planned. The organisers say it will be the “high level networking opportunity of the year for leaders across all sectors of the international shipping industry – regulators, charterers, ship owners, ship managers, lawyers, brokers, bankers, insurers, ship suppliers, ports and shipping service providers and all involved in the shipping world”.

A major event of the week will be the one-day LISW Conference and Gala Dinner, to be held on Thursday 10 September. The Conference will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane. ISU is a supporting organisation of LISW.

MOL Comfort

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has developed two new “Unified Requirements” (URs). It follows the formation of an IACS expert group on the structural safety of container ships following the loss of the MOL COMFORT and which also considered a number of other casualties.

Japan’s Committee on Large Containership Safety concluded that the vessel’s break up possibly occurred because the sea loads exceeded the hull girder ultimate strength at the time of the casualty.

The new IACS URs are:

• UR S11A which is a longitudinal strength standard for Containerships.

• UR S34 dealing with functional requirements for direct analysis by Finite Element Method of Container ships, including a set of loading conditions.

These two important URs will be finalized in the coming months. IACS Unified Requirements are minimum, common technical requirements to be incorporated into the rules of each individual member. URs are not intended to address all the strength aspects of hull structures, which remains the function and responsibility of each class society.

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Following a collision between an oil tanker and a bulker in January 2015, there was a spill of approximately 4,500 tonnes of crude oil off Singapore about 11 nautical miles north-east of Pedra Branca, Horsburgh Lighthouse (see also separate story below).

Singapore Oil Spill Response Centre (SOSRC) immediately deployed the pollution control craft, SALVIXEN and the AHT, POSH ASSISTOR, to the site. Both vessels mobilised with an oil spill response team on board and equipped with dispersants, oil booms and skimmers.

The northeast monsoon caused strong winds and heavy seas but SOSRC was able to locate and disperse patches of spilled oil in the waters around the casualty tanker and near the northern part of the island of Bintan.

Whilst the oil spill clean-up operation was in progress, SEMCO Salvage was separately engaged by the owners of the tanker to transfer the remaining cargo from the damaged tank to a sound tank. SEMCO completed the cargo transfer in 4 days.

The SOSRC team remained on site during the ship to ship oil transfer (STS) operation to render any immediate oil spill response if required. After the STS

On the morning of 30 December 2014, adverse sea conditions drove the barge POE GIANT 12 aground on Pedra Branca Island in Singapore.

The barge’s two 650 tonne bulk loader cranes were leaning dangerously to starboard creating a serious threat to the Horsburgh Lighthouse (right). A historic landmark built in 1851, the lighthouse marks the eastern entrance of the Singapore Straits, one of the busiest waterways in the world.

Having confirmed that the barge could not be refloated in its present condition, Resolve, in consultation with MPA, determined the most efficient means of saving the lighthouse.

Resolve first righted the barge and then crated a slight list to port. The team then conducted a controlled demolition of the

SEMCO operations in the South China Sea

operation, the SALVIXEN remained on standby as an Oil Spill Response vessel to deal with any potential residual oil spillage from the tanker.

The operation was completed in late February when the casualty was permitted to enter Singapore waters under the escort of the SALVIXEN.

Semco said the operation saw the smooth

crane structures while pulling the cranes towards portside. By staggering the explosives, any potential shock wave

Resolve saves historic Singapore lighthouse

cooperation with several divisions of PACC Offshore Services Holdings Limited Group and deployment of 4 POSH Semco vessels namely, the SALVIXEN, POSH ASSISTOR, POSH PANGLIMA and POSH PAHLAWAN.

SALVIXEN (below) in pollution control action following major collision

damage to the lighthouse was minimized and the cranes fell harmlessly into the sea.

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ISU Associate Members' Day March 2015

Salvage World is produced by the International Salvage Union. For matters relating to the publication contact: James Herbert, ISU communications advisor. Tel: +44 1423 330 505 Email: [email protected]

For general enquiries contact:

ISU, Holland House1-4 Bury StreetLondonEC3A 5AWTel: +44 20 7220 6597 Email: [email protected]

1. Mark Hoddinott (left), Leendert Muller

2. Anne Fenech

3. Richard Gunn

4. L - R John Halfweeg, Will Ellison, John Simpson

5. Diedre Fitzpatrick

6. Sandro Vuylsteke (left), Claas-Heye Diekmann

7. Andreas Tsavliris (left), Hugo Callens

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5. 6.

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