Page 22: of Marine Technology Magazine (June 2015)

Case Study: Hydrographic Survey

Retrieving Valuable Cargo from the Seabed

Surveyors are usually engaged to investigate the cause, nature and extent of a claim, damage or inci- dent. Their role in managing projects to salvage cargo is less known. Peer van Oosterhout and Ad de

Klerk from BMT Surveys share their experiences in salvaging a cargo worth several million dollars from the seabed in the Mediterranean.

Recently, BMT Surveys in Rotterdam was approached by a ma- was analyzed. The analysis con? rmed that the majority of the jor European-based underwriter, to investigate the possibility of cargo lay scattered on the sea bed close to the ship. This al- salvaging a high value cargo from a vessel that had sunk in about lowed the cargo to be accessed without having to disturb the 100 meters depth of water in the Mediterranean. Even though the ship, which would have resulted in a larger and more costly cargo value was signi? cant, the location and other operational operation. The insurers were provided with a report, includ- considerations made the salvage venture potentially marginal if it ing video footage of the wreck site which supported the opin- was not carefully managed with time and costs controlled. ion that, with the correct equipment, about 75% of the cargo

The initial appointment was to arrange and carry out a fea- could be salvaged. Subsequently, insurers decided to salvage sibility study to assess how much cargo could potentially be the cargo and BMT was appointed to assist and manage this recovered and to gauge whether it was commercially and op- recovery process. This included; liaison and negotiations with erationally viable. In coordination with the insurer, a diving authorities and interested parties, ? nding a safe and secure survey and salvage company was appointed with an appropri- port to land and store the recovered cargo and on-the-spot ate survey vessel to conduct a sonar side beam survey of the monitoring of the operational activity. BMT also assisted the site which was 35 nautical miles from the shore. With BMT in insurers with the sale of the recovered cargo. attendance, a sonar side scan survey was carried out. This was The operation took nearly four weeks and eventually 80% then followed up by the use of a remotely operated vehicle of the cargo was recovered. The proceeds of the salvage sale (ROV) equipped with underwater video equipment. were signi? cant and concluded a successful operation.

Once these operations were completed, the collected data www.bmtsurveys.com

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