Galp Funchal (3) continuation

So, we have the ULCC Marine Atlantic ready, now how the hell do we transfer more than 2 million barrels of crude between these two monsters of the seas?

By this time the weather in Mozambique Channel was good and we were able to start the STS (ship to ship) transfers operations. Pentow Marine (the salvage company) was in overall charge of the operation.

Six large Yokohama fenders and all necessary STS equipment were brought to Galp Funchal by the supply vessels Pentow Salvor and Sea Reliance. Once all preparatory checks were made, the fenders were rigged on starboard side and the hoses connected to Galp Funchal’s manifolds.

The plan was for Galp Funchal to maintain her position, using the main engine as well as the tug Wolraad Woltemade made fast and controlling the stern. The pilot was onboard Marine Atlantic and the salvage master was onboard Galp Funchal.

Wolraad Woltemade as seen from Galp Funchal bridge wing

Marine Atlantic started approaching from 1 mile off the starboard quarter of the Galp Funchal and was brought up to a position approximately 100 metres abreast the starboard side, on a parallel heading with no way on the vessel.

During the final stages of approach, workboats from Wolraad Woltemade and Sea Reliance ran floating headlines from Marine Atlantic to Galp Funchal and from Galp Funchal to Marine Atlantic. Once the two headlines were ran, the mooring boats proceeded to the after end of the vessels and ran two sternlines. After this, the two vessels were warped together, and, after the weight was taken by the Yokohama fenders, they were moored with 7 headlines/breastlines, 4 forward backsprings, 4 aft backsprings and 7 sternlines/breastlines. This, as can be imagined, took several hours to complete.

After the mooring operation, the hose strings were passed across and connected to Galp Funchal and Marine Atlantic’s manifolds. The discharge would only begin with the vessels being kept on the most suitable heading, with the help of Wolraad Woltemade.

As the discharge went on and the draft of Galp Funchal started decreasing, we could now see the damage on the hull, which had significantly enlarged due to the action of the heavy seas.

And this is what we had below the waterline…

See the relative size of the man taking pictures

From here does not seem too big, just a hole with 11 meters height!!!!

TO BE CONTINUED...