ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: thorleif on December 23, 2008, 12:00:45 PM
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Hello all, I heard on our local news this morning that the towing of the main decommissioned block of the Hutton platform by the President Hubert and a Russian(?) tug is having problems. According to the news, the line of the Russian tug has snapped(leaving just the President Hubert attached) and there are concerns that the broken line may snag on oil pipes on the seabed.
The Havila Saturn has been dispatched from Aberdeen to assist and was expected on scene about now(12.00).
On top of this they've apparently been turned away from several ports and are now in the East Shetland Basin. The last "ping" I have from the President Hubert is 04 Nov where she seems to have been off the English coast en route for Rotterdam..
Can anyone shed any (correcter) light on this matter?.
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Hello
It was a russian tug that snapped its tow wire. The President Hubert held the rig while The Havila Saturn fished up the snapped end. We are now connected and are performing a standard 2 vessel tow.
The russian tug (Vladimir Is******) is taken of hire and is no longer a part of the job. We are steaming towards shetland were the President HUbert are to disconnect and go in for fuel. From the Shetland, the Havila Saturn are to tow the rig alone all the way to Invergordon Scotland.
Hope this has shed some light :-D :-D
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Welcome to the Forum Fisk1986, it is good to have insider information.
Did the Russian tug get sacked for snapping his tow rope ?
Can you send us some pictures of your work?
regards Brian
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tnx
No, the russian tug were not sacked. The tug suffered damaged on its propellers. As far as I know the client is satisfied with the russian tug. I have some pics but i'm not able to upload them here because of the size of the internet connection onboard. :-(
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Thanks Fisk1986:), it's great to get some "on scene" information.
Can you tell me if the barge will be taken into/alongside Lerwick harbour or is it just the President Hubert who is coming in for fuel?.
Many thanks again.
Thorleif :-)
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As far as I know it's just the President Hubert thats going to Lerwick. I'll try to remember to upload the photos i have when i get a desent connection.
Fisk
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Thanks again Fisk for the information :-) . Our Shetland news said today that the tow was only making 3 knots and was still 40 miles north of Shetland. The news also said that it(the barge+load) would be taken "to Lerwick" to see if everything is okay...... but this is the "media" we're talking about!.
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Hi Guys,
Russian Vladimir Ignatyuk arrived in Lerwick at 07:35 this morning, don't know if it's a coincidence but the Russian cargo vessel Sheksna arrived in the afternoon.
Regards
Richard
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Here are some snaps I took today during transfering of President Huberts tow line. Enjoy!
Go to the links for pics
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/8430/img21161tf9.th.jpg
http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img21241gk7.jpg
(Edit: Image links)
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Hi Fisk,
I can see the pictures, look like a big heavy load to tow
Brian
Edited 29/12/08
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Is this the Hutton top deck? :-
http://www.oilrig-photos.com/picture/number84.asp?st=hutton
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I do not kbow for sure. All i know is that the top deck is placed on a russian plattform and in work today
Fisk
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Hi, Brian
Well, there is a lot of resistance due to the construction of the floaters. There are no aquadynamic properties as its like draging a frame through the water.
Fisk
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Yes, that was the original upper works, but these were removed in Murmansk for further use.
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Update.
President Hubert and Havila Saturn arrived in the Inner Moray Firth on hogmanay with the tow and have been circling awaiting a berth at Invergordon which should be vacated on 4th January when the semi-sub rig Ocean Princess is towed out.
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Vidar Viking has now been engaged to assist on this project. President Hubert continues to hold the tow in the Inner Moray Firth along with Vidar Viking whilst Havila Saturn is berthed at Invergordon.