TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale Assists Tanker
that Lost Anchor near Port Everglades
On the afternoon of Sunday April 1st, TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale received a call from a customer who reported the need to move an 11 ton anchor from the deck of a tanker to the port bow of the ship for installation. The ship's captain reported losing an anchor the previous week in approximately 130 meters of water offshore Ft. Lauderdale Florida and the spare anchor had to be in place before the ship could sail. Barney Hauf, Director of Sales explains "After speaking with the captain, we learned that the spare anchor was located on deck, amidships on the Starboard side. They required a lifting strap that was rated for a minimum of 15 tons and the ship's crane would be used to lower the anchor to our waiting vessel for it to be shifted to the Port bow and installed. We provided the specs for the strap, put a plan together to mobilize our 96' OSV Richard L. Becker and agreed to get started once the ship completed transferring cargo ashore." Early Tuesday morning, the Richard L. Becker came alongside the ship to begin the operation. As the ship's crew readied the anchor for transfer, they realized that the shackle had rusted and was stuck with the loop end resting on the anchor stock; the problem had just grown worse. The crew worked for hours trying to free the rusty shackle with no success. The ship received authorization from the class surveyor to use heat to free the shackle if necessary and TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale was hired to remedy this issue and redeliver the repaired anchor as soon as possible.
The anchor was rigged and lowered onto the waiting Richard L. Becker. The Becker shifted to a bulkhead in Port Everglades where a 75 ton crane and flatbed tractor trailer was waiting to transfer the anchor to their service facility close to the Port. The crew worked late into the night using a cold press to get initial movement in the shackle followed up by several sets of oxygen and acetylene torches applying heat while pressure was carefully applied. In the end, the shackle's 6" diameter pin was free and the shackle moved easily through its full range of motion. By 2200 hours, the anchor was loaded back on the trailer and allowed to soak overnight with a heavy dose of penetrating oil and silicone lubricant. Early the next morning the 11 ton anchor was transported back to the Port and installed using a 75 ton crane along with one of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale's small work boats to assist with rigging. The class surveyor was on scene to bless the operation after the chain-anchor connection was made. With a "thumbs up" from the surveyor, the anchor was hoisted onto the ship. Within 2 hours, the ship had tugs alongside and was underway for her next Port of Call.
This job illustrates the diversity of services and expertise that TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale has become known for over the past two decades. Please contact Barney Hauf 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have the need for one of their vessels or any of the services that they provide. Barney also welcomes calls for free advice, a business reference or local knowledge anytime!
