One of the first actions when salvaging a vessel that ran onto the rocks is to remove the oil from the tanks. In the case of the salvage by Smit Salvage of the cargo ship Blue Lagoon, which ran aground on the rocky seabed off the coast of Taiwan’s Orchid Island, it was no different.
Removing all the oil from the tanks was necessary to avoid damaging the environment surrounding the island in the infamous “Typhoon Alley”.
Also read: Boskalis to convert ship into major rock installation vessel
Steam bath
The specialised salvage team from Boskalis’ subsidiary Smit Salvage removed the oil from the tanks using a custom-made steam bath. It is common knowledge that when removing oil from a ship’s tank, there is always some residual fuel (clingage) left behind.
By creating a closed steam system, heated water could be pumped into the tanks 24/7. The heat generated in the tanks loosened the residual oil from the tank walls. After settling in the tanks for some time, both the steam water and the last remaining oil could then be pumped out of the tanks.
In total, the salvage team removed more than 10 tonnes of “fuel residue”. thus preventing damage to the environment.
Also read: Smit successfully refloats ferry Marco Polo
Blue Lagoon grounding
The 229-metre-long bulk carrier Blue Lagoon ran aground off Orchid Island, Taiwan, on 1 October during a typhoon. The vessel had been on its way from Beijing to Singapore. At the time, the ship was carrying 67,500 tonnes of iron ore and 227 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil. All crew were rescued from the ship.
The ship sails under the flag of Barbados and the Barbados Marine Investigation Department is carrying out an investigation into the accident.
Picture by Boskalis.
Also read: Smit Lamnalco now part of Boskalis
