ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Robert McDonald on July 07, 2015, 06:51:36 PM
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Hull breached by undocumented obstruction.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/07/07/shells-arctic-icebreaker-damaged-in-alaska/#33766101=0 (http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/07/07/shells-arctic-icebreaker-damaged-in-alaska/#33766101=0)
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Ice Handling tug Fennica is preparing to leave the Port of Dutch Harbor enroute to Vigor Marine on Swan Island in Portland, Oregon, to repair gash in hull. Why by-pass Seattle? Perhaps lack of shelf space.
Both Polar Pioneer and Noble Discoverer have cleared the Port of Dutch Harbor, advancing ~1000 miles north to the Chukchi Sea. While Shell says they won't need the capping stack onboard the Fennica until August, environmental groups have pounced on Shell ignoring the plan approved by BOEM calling for TWO ice handling tugs be on hand, the second tug being the Nordica.
Given Shells miserable performance in the Arctic, any deviation from Plan could have consequences.
Article shows where Fennica scrapped bottom:
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/07/10/damaged-arctic-icebreakers-route-questioned/ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/07/10/damaged-arctic-icebreakers-route-questioned/)
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Well, they have Aiviq...
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Yes, they have the Aiviq - and the Ross Choust and Tor Viking. But those three vessels are assigned to Anchor Handler duty.
Arctia Offshore's Fennica and Nordica are assigned to Ice Management; patrolling and rounding up floes that could endanger the Polar Pioneer and Noble Discoverer.
In this operation, strict adherence to "the Plan" is paramount. The pawns are not interchangeable as you suggest.
Not only State and Federal Authorities, but also a handful of conservation and environmental interests are closely monitoring this incursion into the Chukchi Sea.
Shell tried to ad-lib it in 2012, and look at the mess that resulted in the Kulluk ending up in an Asian scrapyard, and the Noble Discoverer having to be pulled from the fray and dry towed to Singapore for extensive repairs.
And millions of dollars in fines assessed.
Shell isn't messing around in the Gulf of Mexico, where assistance can be brought in in a short amount of time. Wainwright Alaska is 1,092 miles north of the Port of Dutch Harbor. Help is not a "quick phone" call away if they get tangled up in their drawers - again.
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Then reassign them as secondary ice management vessels. I admit I'm not familiar with offshore operations, but isn't anchor-handling something that happens largely before and after the actual drilling operation? What are the other icebreakers - Aiviq and Tor Viking - doing in the meantime?
In this operation, strict adherence to "the Plan" is paramount. The pawns are not interchangeable as you suggest.
I wonder how many operations have failed because of this kind of mindset.
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MarineTraffic AIS: Fennica now underway for Portland, Oregon.
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The company can only drill during the brief Arctic summer, and it cannot drill for oil without the Blow Out Preventer that
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First of all, it's a capping stack and not a blowout preventer. Secondly, Shell is allowed to start drilling as long as the drillbit does not reach potentially oil and gas bearing depths.
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The difference explained here:
http://goo.gl/CafM8v
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Thanks, davidship, I know the difference. So "Opps" on me for the error.
http://www.oil-electric.com/2010/07/capping-stack-and-beached-whale.html (http://www.oil-electric.com/2010/07/capping-stack-and-beached-whale.html)
Shell said the special steel in the Fennica's hull meant a permanent fix would be required in dry dock. "While we believe the interim repairs could have been made in Dutch Harbor, our preference is to pursue a conservative course into a shipyard where a permanent fix can be performed."
The Coast Guard has approved a plan for temporary repairs in Dutch Harbor.
The vessel is enroute to Swan Island.
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In a rare moment of clarity, Shell decided to send Fennica to Portland, where the yard would be capable of repairing her technical steel ice breaking hull. Fennica arrived in Portland Oregon early Saturday morning. She is alongside at Vigor Industrial on Swan Island. (Well, once upon a time it WAS an island, site of Portland's first airport.)
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/damaged-shell-icebreaker-arrives-to-portland-for-repairs/ (http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/damaged-shell-icebreaker-arrives-to-portland-for-repairs/)
Amongst the first ship yards on the Island, Albina did yeoman's work during the Second World War
"Albina Engine & Machine Works of Portland has turned out 38 sub-chasers, won three "E" pennants, chopped down absenteeism, kept its 4,500 workers happy.
"Its secret: slick showmanship in employee relations. Samples: "No Work, No Woo. "Vow Girls," 350 female employees in the yard, have signed a pledge not to date any Albina man who has not perfect job attendance for the week." [Time, Sept. 27, 1943.]
Then came Port of Portland, with Dry Dock Number 4, largest on the West Coast. Lack of work forced sale to Bermuda, to service cruise ships. Then came Vigor.
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Any update on when she will be repaired?
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The "Fennica" berthed at the Rose City
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Thanks :)
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Protesters give Fennica "Warm Welcome" in Saturday demonstration. Vessel can be seen behind canvas screen on Dry Dock Vigorous.
http://earthfirstjournal.org/newswire/2015/07/26/flotilla-halts-arctic-ice-breaker-in-portland-oregon/ (http://earthfirstjournal.org/newswire/2015/07/26/flotilla-halts-arctic-ice-breaker-in-portland-oregon/)
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Bridge Hangers Block Fennica!
Greenpeace protesters hang off St John's Bridge (Willamette River) blocking Fennica from leaving Portland!
http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2015/07/29/stjohns-bridge-protest-shell-greenpeace/30824931/ (http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2015/07/29/stjohns-bridge-protest-shell-greenpeace/30824931/)
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Greenpeace 1; Shell 0
http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2015/07/29/stjohns-bridge-protest-shell-greenpeace/30824931/ (http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2015/07/29/stjohns-bridge-protest-shell-greenpeace/30824931/)
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What will probably happen first is that the Coast Guard, like in Seattle, will give the protesters a couple of days to make their point, then quietly start making some key arrests and detentions in order to allow commerce to continue as normal.
If that doesn't pan out, I'd imagine the FENNICA could probably just tail a bulk freighter out, or take advantage of one coming in, to get under the bridge if it comes down to it.
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Portland Fire and Police remove enough Greenpeace "Hanging Protester's" allowing Ice Management Tug Fennica to advance down the Willamette River to the Columbia, thence out to sea, joining the exploration of the Chukchi Sea.
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Clever mischief. Point made. Nice day out. Good exercise for Coastguard
Greenpeace 2, Shell 1