At around 15:16 on July 2nd, the stern block of "HONG PU 6” tanker has been successfully salvaged out of water by the collective efforts of three floating cranes – "DE FU 3600," "DE YING," and "DE FU 3" from the Yantai Salvage Bureau under the Ministry of Transport. This tanker had sunk near Lingshan Island in Qingdao. This success effectively mitigated the risk of marine environmental pollution in the jurisdictional waters and ensured the safety of navigation.
The tanker HONG PU 6 is 128 meters long, 19.8 meters wide and 10.8 meters deep, weighting 10,800 tons. Following an explosion in January of this year, it sank while being towed. The sinking occurred in waters more than 30 meters deep, and the cabins contained a significant volume of heavy oil. This accident posed a significant threat to both maritime navigation and the marine environment.
Upon taking on the emergency salvage task, the Yantai Salvage Bureau conscientiously implemented the deployment requirements of the Party Group of the Ministry of Transport and the Party Committee of the Salvage Bureau concerning maritime emergency operations. They promptly convened specialized meetings to deliberate on the matter, swiftly set up a Salvage Project Department, conducted on-site surveys and scans, and devised a strategic three-phase salvage plan for the wrecked tanker, which covered oil extraction, bow section salvage, and stern section salvage. They went all out to thoroughly prepare for the salvage operation.
Throughout the salvage process, the Yantai Salvage Bureau employed over 10 different vessel types and a team of over 200 professionals A team of 20 party members acted as the spearhead to break through the operational challenges. Particularly during the third stage of stern section salvage, the team the team navigated through various challenges like the tanker’s off-center balance, deep mud, heavy weight, short length, unfavorable weather conditions, and rough sea conditions in the operating area. They persevered and continued to fight against these obstacles. In this operation, a new type of underwater mud-guiding tool called "Shen Man 3" was introduced for the first time to improve operational efficiency significantly. Additionally, innovative techniques were employed, such as using a bottom-seated salvage vessel for the operation. The coordinated efforts of the three floating cranes to lift the sunken tanker demonstrated the responsibility and commitment of the national professional salvage team through practical actions.
Source from: China transportation news