On July 3, 2020, the twin-hull heavy lift vessel VB-10,000 docked at the Port of Fernandina, Florida, to finalize modifications and conduct function checks before proceeding to St. Simons Sound in mid-July. The VB-10,000 plays a crucial role in the salvage operation of the Golden Ray, a Korean-owned roll-on, roll-off vessel that capsized near the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, in September 2019. The Golden Ray, which was en route to Baltimore, overturned shortly after departing from Brunswick, leading to an investigation into the cause of the incident.
The operation involves cutting the capsized vessel into eight pieces, which the VB-10,000 will lift and transport to Louisiana for recycling. To facilitate this, 16 lifting lugs have been installed on the wreck to create connection points for lifting operations. The unique design of the VB-10,000 includes two 255-foot-tall gantries equipped with rigging beams that will be altered to effectively lift sections of the Golden Ray’s hull. Winches attached to the forward gantry will use 400-foot chains to sever these sections from the stranded vessel, ensuring safe and efficient removal.
Salvage efforts are complicated by the condition of the Golden Ray, which cannot withstand the stress of traditional removal techniques like parbuckling due to its compromised hull and keel. Consequently, dismantling the ship in place and transporting it piece by piece is the most viable approach.
During its stay at the Port of Fernandina, the VB-10,000’s crew will focus on refining the rigging systems and ensuring that all equipment is fully operational before commencing the salvage operations in St. Simons Sound. The situation surrounding the Golden Ray is critical, as it remains aground outside one of the U.S.’s largest car carrier ports, posing risks to both the environment and marine traffic.
The incident’s aftermath saw the successful recovery of the ship’s pilot and 23 crew members, with four individuals trapped for over 35 hours before being rescued through a hole drilled into the hull. As the salvage operation progresses, the focus remains on safely dismantling the wreck and mitigating any potential hazards that may arise from the capsized vessel.
Source link
