Mammoet Provides Emergency Response for Beached Rail Ferry in Turkey

In mid-February MV Feruz, a specialist ferry for railway wagons, was one of several vessels which got into difficulties in a heavy storm in the Black Sea. The master demonstrated impressive seamanship by steering her into a small, narrow (outside) swimming pool of an aqua park, close to the port of Samsun in Turkey.

Mammoet Salvage, jointly with Iskes Towage & Salvage tugs from IJmuiden signed a LOF salvage agreement on the rail ferry Feruz to provide emergency response services to stabilize the vessel and prevent further damage to the vessel and aqua park.

When the Feruz, (Loa 150 meter) was beached in the aqua park she sustained some damage below the waterline which was made worse by the continuing movement across the rocky bottom in the outside swimming pool. The breakwaters and aqua park also suffered considerable damage during the maneuvers of the vessel. Mammoet Salvage started the emergency response service by checking the condition of the vessel, stabilizing her, taking depth soundings in the surrounding area and would preventing a possible environmental disaster by installing a complete oil spill response spread in case an oil leakage occur. This work was done together with a local diving company and Iskes Towage & Salvage tugs, a partner in Mammoet’s international network. The intention was to tow the Feruz out of the dock before adverse weather and heavy swell would set in again. Unfortunately, delays in obtaining permits from the local authorities, and communications problems between the Russian ship- owner, the owner of the aqua park and the authorities caused some tense moments when the next storm hit. However, all the issues were solved after almost two weeks when Mammoet and the local partner refloated the Feruz and towed her to the port of Samsun.

The salvage market in this area is mostly served by local businesses and international operators often find it difficult to enter the market. However, the ship-owner wanted to work with Mammoet given the company’s ability to respond quickly and its impressive track record.

This project is a good illustration of the strength of Mammoet Salvage’s international network of local partners which enables the company to provide a rapid response to emergencies and minimize further damage. This combines the advantages of local presence and expertise with a worldwide scope and extensive resources. The emergency response services are often followed-up by complex salvage operations, where Mammoet Salvage benefits from the equipment, know-how and engineering support of the larger Mammoet group.

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Source: Mammoet, March 21, 2012