4 ms·

Some quick points from my dad (an expert on big ships, 20 years at PDVSA as a failures analysis engineer and 12 years building propellers for navies in Latin Am

Some quick points from my dad (an expert on big ships, 20 years at PDVSA as a failures analysis engineer and 12 years building propellers for navies in Latin America): * Work on the ship can most likely only work during high tide. This will prolong the process. * Many of the floating crane barges necessary to offload container weight function via strict contracts. Even if a ship is 'available' leaving a port early is breach of contract, further complicating the logistics of bringing help. The availability of specialized vessels to assist is essentially random right now. * It's an oversight that the Suez Canal allows ships to traverse without tug/tow boats with high wind conditions (which probably led to oversteering). The Panama Canal has a more robust escort system that should probably be replicated in the Suez Canal to prevent this in the future. * The excavators on the shore from earlier today are likely doing absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. Offloading weight via cargo and fuel with good tide conditions is likely to be more useful. * His project estimate to completely remove the ship from the canal SAFELY is six to twenty weeks (worst case) of around the clock planning and operations. Big boats are dangerous and rushing could lead to casualties or even worse blocking hazards. * The biggest roadblock might be procuring the specialized crane barges. He tried to explain to me what the difference was between the specialized cranes necessary for this ship and other crane ships but it went over my head. He loves this stuff, so I can ask him a few other questions. Edit: * I asked him about the helicopter idea and he likes it as an aid to a larger crane operation. He doesn't know much about helicopters, but he does believe that with the right weight/container distribution it could help speed up the process significantly.

throw_nico 6y ago
Can you ask him what he thinks about using cofferdams for raising the water level ( instead of lowering it). I'm actually curious in hearing potential problems or ( if it would be plausible) a raw estimation of duration ( since you mentioned 20 weeks, that's a huge timeline). Edit: I don't know anything about this subject. So it's interesting to learn/ask some stuff I wouldn't encounter otherwise.
- whymauri 6y ago
  He said it works in theory. He didn't estimate timeline, but it would take longer than a weight/crane operation. If the situation was much worse (partial capsize, somehow deeper entrenched on the coast), this might be a more plausible option. With the containers in an accessible location, it should be faster to organize a weight redistribution campaign instead. Just thinking about the logistics of safely building and deconstructing the dam made his head spin a little bit.
  - NicoJuicy 6y ago
    Thanks for asking him, really appreciate the feedback on how he's comparing it with the other options available!
- samstave 6y ago
  I initially said 2 months - but after watching this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM Its way longer than that - the other thing is to think about the economic ripple effect - short, mid and long term. Also its important to note that the evergreen is now out of commission for at least a year. It will likely go to another closer port, all cargo offloaded to other ships, then it will go into dry-dock for in depth inspection for fatigue and micro-cracks in the hull and infra...
nate_meurer 6y ago
Is it possible that the ship is so stuck that it will never be possible to tug it loose, and that they have to dismantle it in place?
- cauliflower99 6y ago
  Oh man - that's worst worse case thinking! ...I like it
  - samstave 6y ago
    One thing is for sure - every single timeline for every manufacturing operation in europe, relying on parts from china just got pushed back by ~3 months
samstave 6y ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM This guy: GCaptain sounds very similar in experience as your pops. He goes into detail on a lot of the same points your dad makes. He specifically says that its unbelievable that the Suez didnt have the appropriate bollard pull tugs or pumps available as a matter or course... --- SMIT is the salver for the project, they are going to slurp the ballast, the fuel and are dredging under the front bulb. however the EVERGREEN is *FLOODING* according to GCaptain based on the immediate request by Suez for highspeed pumps for the forward empty space - he thinks the forward steering props are leaking into the forward empty space. They also called for them for aft... He goes through the various least worst and worst scenarios. Talks a lot about micro cracks and flexion, sag and hog... Also its important to note that the evergreen is now out of commission for at least a year. It will likely go to another closer port, all cargo offloaded to other ships, then it will go into dry-dock for in depth inspection for fatigue and micro-cracks in the hull and infra... The problem with crane barges is that there may not be one that is tall enough to handle the EverGreen. Anyway - send this guys vids to your dad - He would like them.

throw_nico 6y ago

Can you ask him what he thinks about using cofferdams for raising the water level ( instead of lowering it). I'm actually curious in hearing potential problems or ( if it would be plausible) a raw estimation of duration ( since you mentioned 20 weeks, that's a huge timeline). Edit: I don't know anything about this subject. So it's interesting to learn/ask some stuff I wouldn't encounter otherwise.

whymauri 6y ago
He said it works in theory. He didn't estimate timeline, but it would take longer than a weight/crane operation. If the situation was much worse (partial capsize, somehow deeper entrenched on the coast), this might be a more plausible option. With the containers in an accessible location, it should be faster to organize a weight redistribution campaign instead. Just thinking about the logistics of safely building and deconstructing the dam made his head spin a little bit.
- NicoJuicy 6y ago
  Thanks for asking him, really appreciate the feedback on how he's comparing it with the other options available!
samstave 6y ago
I initially said 2 months - but after watching this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM Its way longer than that - the other thing is to think about the economic ripple effect - short, mid and long term. Also its important to note that the evergreen is now out of commission for at least a year. It will likely go to another closer port, all cargo offloaded to other ships, then it will go into dry-dock for in depth inspection for fatigue and micro-cracks in the hull and infra...

nate_meurer 6y ago

Is it possible that the ship is so stuck that it will never be possible to tug it loose, and that they have to dismantle it in place?

cauliflower99 6y ago
Oh man - that's worst worse case thinking! ...I like it
- samstave 6y ago
  One thing is for sure - every single timeline for every manufacturing operation in europe, relying on parts from china just got pushed back by ~3 months

samstave 6y ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdxnuk-2pM This guy: GCaptain sounds very similar in experience as your pops. He goes into detail on a lot of the same points your dad makes. He specifically says that its unbelievable that the Suez didnt have the appropriate bollard pull tugs or pumps available as a matter or course... --- SMIT is the salver for the project, they are going to slurp the ballast, the fuel and are dredging under the front bulb. however the EVERGREEN is *FLOODING* according to GCaptain based on the immediate request by Suez for highspeed pumps for the forward empty space - he thinks the forward steering props are leaking into the forward empty space. They also called for them for aft... He goes through the various least worst and worst scenarios. Talks a lot about micro cracks and flexion, sag and hog... Also its important to note that the evergreen is now out of commission for at least a year. It will likely go to another closer port, all cargo offloaded to other ships, then it will go into dry-dock for in depth inspection for fatigue and micro-cracks in the hull and infra... The problem with crane barges is that there may not be one that is tall enough to handle the EverGreen. Anyway - send this guys vids to your dad - He would like them.