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Titan Is Challenged In Persian Gulf Titan Maritime recently had its expertise put to the test with the wreck removal operation of a 426 x 105 x 28 ft. (130 x 32 x 8.5 m), 7,279 grt materials barge. The vessel was transiting the area of Mina Saqr Port in Ras A1 Khaimah, United Arab Emirates on February 3 when it capsized and sank with full load of rock/boul- ders. Prior to its salvage, the barge had been lying in 105 ft. (32 m) of water, its stern dug into a trench on the seabed over 98 ft. (30 m), with a list to port of 15 degrees. The hull was heavily imploded, cracked open and distorted along almost the total length of the port side shell plating. Significant damage had also been caused to the internal structure of the barge - resulting in most of the longitudinal and transverse bulkheads being breached. Titan was granted the salvage contract in July 2000 and subsequently began mobilization of equipment in early August, from both the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and New Haven, U.K. warehouses. A total of 20 Titan per- sonnel, including a salvage master, naval architect, diver/salvors and hydraulic engineers arrived on site in late August. Titan attacked the salvage project in a way that was most unique. The company proposed to lift and remove the vessel by way of Titan Pullers - a method that was developed and refined by Titan's own engi- neers. This technique was created in response to underwater lift requirements when the weights of a vessel exceed the limitations of floating cranes, or when the open ocean environment renders the use of floating cranes impractical. The Puller is, in effect, a linear hydraulic chain puller, which is a simple yet effective device that, when used in different configurations, is capable of lifting heavy weights up to 300 tons. Another advantage of the pullers was that the lifting forces could be spread out over a large portion of severely weakened structure. Positioned aboard two 5,500 deck barges (seven pullers on each barge) were 14 pullers totaling a combined lifting force of 4,200 tons. Each barge was equipped with a four-point winch system, with 30-ton winches positioned in each corner of the barges, independent elec- tric powered ballast systems, complete hydraulic systems to power the pullers and required ancillary equipment. Divers burned pre-engineered lifting points to connect lifting chains from the pullers. The ALIA was then cut in half at the aft end of the three to four bulkhead. The forward section of the barge was raised on October 24 and towed to a government- approved site where it was to be set in place to serve as a fish haven. The vessel's aft section was lifted on November 28 upon which it was towed and released at the same approved site. Demobilization commenced immediately and was completed on December 17. Circle 36 on Reader Service Card "We're always updating and improving" • The latest addition to the line of blocks rebuilt by SK66KOM is the new 18", • 20 ton BCM fullsided block with • improved wear resistant steel sheave. Made in USA • Galvanized finish • Pressure lube grease fitting to sheave and eye bolt • Heavy duty steel construction <• 10-Ton thru 30-ton fitted with Timken tapered roller bearings Extra heavy duty eye stem on 25 & 30 ton blocks • •I •, •, •, bM ¥ i Hi BCM® Trawl Blocks 'The Orange Sheave Blocks®*' Full side models: BCM 6""FATBOY" ..(5-Ton) BCM 16" (20-Ton) BCM 18" (20-Ton) BCM 18" (25-Ton) BCM 20" (30-Ton) 'Engineered for Extremes Built for reliability and value ** Smart Strain Gauge Level Sensor with Generic 4-20mA Output Use one sensor for all shipboard liquid levels This technology has been designed specifically for surviving the rigors of ballast tank continuous monitoring. It weighs less than 2 oz. and is con- structed from 100% pure titanium. • It's the size of your thumb • Accuracy .25% of full scale • 100% Titanium • Weighs less than 2 oz. • ABS/USCG/Lloyds approved • FM Class 1, Div. 1 Intrinsically Safe • Removal without tank entry • No mercury or other contaminants • Interfaces to your existing monitoring system • One sensor for all shipboard liquids: fuel oil, lube oil, fresh water, black water, etc. • Generic 4-20 mA output • Used in 15,000 tanks worldwide Many Options S Call today for more information! ELECTRONIC MARINE SYSTEMS, INC. 800 Ferndale Place Rahway, NJ 07065 732.382.4344 732.388.5111 fax emsmarcon@aol.com e-mail http://www.emsmarcon.com Circle 218 on Reader Service Card March, 2001 Circle 252 on Reader Service Card www.maritimetoday.com 31
