A cargo vessel with length 95 meters sunk when it was berthed to unload cargo at “Fujian” Port . The vessel carries 3000 tons steel bar from “Liaoning” Port which plan to dispatch at the Fujian port . The water flush into one of the holds through the crack . the vessel sunk after half of the operation room trapped into water . But the lucky thing is no shipman died due to timely rescue and salvage .

 Vessel Salvage

Considering and realizing this situation carefully , the salvage company decided to employ some rubber bladders to supply the buoyancy to assist the refloation of the vessel .  The light weight of the vessel is 1600 tons and silt into the water for about 600 tons . Good thing is the vessel has eight ballast tanks which can support 800 tons buoyancy if sealed . Wherefore to move and clear the steel bar from the vessel would be a great help . Finally it took ten days for the 30 divers to move the steel ropes completely . Then the last thing is to wait for the rubber bladder who can provide this 800 tons buoyancy .

Asked by the salvage company , our engineering team rushed to the site to supply the technical service , meanwhile 20 pieces rubber bladders were transported . 16 pieces were inserted into the vessels’ holds and 4 pieces were attached to hull after the safety  check of upper board performed .

During the whole salvage period of time , some steel ropes from a 300 tons crane barge were bounded the vessel to prevent it from possible capsizal during vessel refloatation . The we began to inflate the rubber bladders one by one . While the main deck rose above the water, divers sealed the crack of vessel and 18 pumps drain water out from the vessel . After 5 hours of hard working, the vessel successfully refloated .

Project Summary

Compared to those rigid pontoon , rubber bladders can be easily transported and installed . Also rubber bladders are safe for salvage owing to big areas with vessels .