The Thrilling World of Marine Salvage: Unsung Heroes of the Sea

Introduction: The Ever Given Incident and the Spotlight on Marine Salvage

In March 2021, the world watched with bated breath as the container ship Ever Given became lodged in the Suez Canal, blocking one of the world’s most crucial trade routes. This incident brought unprecedented attention to the often-overlooked field of marine salvage. As memes circulated showing a lone excavator working tirelessly to free the massive vessel, few realized the complex operations taking place behind the scenes.

The successful liberation of the Ever Given not only restored daily trade flows worth up to $10 billion but also sparked curiosity about the professionals who tackle such Herculean tasks. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of marine salvage, exploring the challenges, rewards, and day-to-day realities of this fascinating profession.

The Life of a Salvage Master: A Conversation with David Stirling

To gain insight into this unique career, we spoke with Salvage Master David Stirling, a veteran in the field who has salvaged over 200 vessels since 1979. Stirling’s experiences offer a window into the exciting and demanding world of marine salvage.

The Call of the Sea

For Stirling, like many in the profession, the allure of the sea was irresistible. His fascination began in South Africa when he encountered the John Ross, one of the world’s largest tugboats at the time. This encounter set him on a path that would define his career and life.

The Tools of the Trade

While massive tugboats like the John Ross are impressive, Stirling notes that size isn’t everything in salvage operations. The key is power combined with agility – the ability to maneuver precisely where needed. However, the equipment used in salvage operations is nothing short of impressive:

• Cranes
• Excavators
• Helicopters
• Drones
• Diving equipment
• Hydraulic pullers

These tools form the backbone of a salvage master’s arsenal, enabling them to tackle a wide range of challenging situations.

The Ever Given Operation: A Case Study in Modern Salvage

The Ever Given incident serves as an excellent example of the complexity and scale of modern salvage operations. Let’s break down the elements that went into freeing this massive vessel:

Dredging Operations

Salvage crews removed enough sand and mud to fill a dozen Olympic-sized swimming pools. This massive dredging operation was crucial in creating space for the ship to move.

Tugboat Power

A fleet of 18 tugboats was deployed, working in all directions to apply the necessary force to dislodge the Ever Given.

Technical Expertise

Beyond the physical efforts, salvage teams performed complex calculations, managed ballast removal and transfer, and carefully timed their efforts with the tides and lunar cycles.

Scale of the Challenge

To put the magnitude of this operation into perspective, consider these facts:

• The Ever Given is 1,312 feet long – nearly as tall as the Empire State Building
• The canal at the accident site was only 985 feet wide
• The operation involved spinning this massive vessel within these tight constraints

The Economics of Salvage: High Risk, High Reward

While marine salvage can be financially rewarding, it’s also a high-risk profession with unpredictable paydays.

Reward Structure

Salvage companies typically earn between 8% to 12% of the value of the property they save. In the case of the Ever Given, this translated to a staggering $550 million in salvage costs.

The Risk Factor

However, the “no cure, no pay” principle means that if a ship sinks or property cannot be salvaged, the company receives no reward, regardless of the effort expended.

Determining Salvage Awards

The International Convention On Salvage outlines ten criteria for determining salvage awards, including:

• The nature and degree of danger
• The skill and efforts of the salvors
• The value of the property saved
• The time used and expenses incurred

This complex system requires salvage companies to meticulously document their efforts and expenses to justify their rewards.

Challenges in Different Environments: From Ice to Desert Heat

Salvage operations face unique challenges depending on their location and environmental conditions. Stirling shared two contrasting experiences that highlight the diverse nature of salvage work:

The Frozen Kiel Canal

In 1996, Stirling worked on refloating the Sabine D, a container ship that had capsized in Germany’s Kiel Canal. The operation faced unexpected challenges when temperatures plummeted, freezing the canal:

• Condensation froze crane controls, requiring constant deicing
• Dive crews had to cut holes in the ice to access the water
• Divers wore special rubber suits with circulating warm water
• Even with these precautions, divers could only stay in the water for minutes at a time

The Scorching UAE Harbor

In stark contrast, a 2019 operation in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, presented the opposite problem:

• A nearby desalination plant kept the harbor water extremely hot
• Divers required suits with circulating ice water to prevent overheating

These examples illustrate the need for salvage masters to adapt quickly to diverse and often extreme conditions.

Innovation in Salvage Techniques: The APL Panama Case

Salvage masters must often think outside the box to overcome unique challenges. Stirling recounted the grounding of the APL Panama in Ensenada, Mexico, which spent 75 days marooned on a beach. This operation showcased the need for innovative thinking and substantial resources:

• The operation required significant financial backing from the parent company
• Seven or eight company-owned tugs were deployed
• Third-party cranes and heavy-lift helicopters were chartered
• The total cost of the operation exceeded $25 million

Prop Washing: An Innovative Technique

To overcome the challenge, Stirling employed a rarely used technique called prop washing:

• The propeller of a boat is used to displace water
• This creates a powerful stream that scours away the seabed
• The technique aids in refloating stranded vessels

Stirling believes this technique could have been beneficial in the Ever Given case, potentially shortening the operation and reducing costs.

The Ever Given: A Triumph of Technique, Timing, and Tenacity

While prop washing wasn’t used in the Ever Given case, Stirling commends the approach taken:

• The deployment of dredgers and large tugs with high combined horsepower was effective
• The operation’s success beat many expert timing estimates
• The speed of resolution saved significant costs, given the claimed $1 billion impact on the Suez Canal Authority

Stirling emphasizes that the Ever Given’s successful salvage, like many operations, resulted from a combination of technique, timing, a bit of luck, and a lot of grit.

The Financial Realities of Salvage Work

While the potential rewards in salvage work can be substantial, the path to payday is often long and complex:

• Salvage companies don’t get paid until they prove the difficulty and expense of the job
• The process of determining awards can take years
• Salvage masters must meticulously document every aspect of their operations

This unique payment structure requires salvage professionals to have not only technical skills but also patience and detailed record-keeping abilities.

Conclusion: The Unsung Heroes of Global Trade

Marine salvage is a field that combines adventure, technical expertise, innovation, and high stakes. Professionals like David Stirling work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep global trade flowing, often in challenging and dangerous conditions.

While incidents like the Ever Given grounding may bring temporary attention to this crucial industry, the day-to-day work of salvage masters continues largely unnoticed. These unsung heroes of the sea play a vital role in maintaining the global supply chains that our modern world depends on.

As we’ve seen, the life of a salvage master is far from ordinary. It demands quick thinking, adaptability, and a willingness to face unpredictable challenges. For those drawn to the sea and the thrill of problem-solving under pressure, marine salvage offers a unique and rewarding career path.

At FreightAmigo, we recognize the crucial role that marine salvage plays in the global logistics chain. Our Digital Logistics Platform is designed to support and complement the efforts of these maritime professionals, ensuring smooth operations across the entire supply chain. By leveraging our advanced technology and comprehensive logistics solutions, we aim to make the complex world of international shipping more efficient and accessible for all stakeholders.