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During the month of December 2011, AHTS BLUSTER was engaged in the towage of the heavy pipe lay barge FORTUNA from Korsakov, on the southern tip of Sakhalin, to Nantong, China. Given the time of the year and the location, both the mobilization and the towage were characterized by bad weather conditions. Nevertheless the towage was completed smoothly and within time schedule.
The BLUSTER mobilized from Singapore to Karsakov, and called at Hong Kong to lift bunkers for the towage. On a bright sunny freezing day the BLUSTER was cleared in and proceeded to the FORTUNA to connect up on the pre-installed bridle chain.
The wire protectors were installed by the deck crew when the tow wire was at length of 800 meters. A job done in breezing and freezing weather conditions. The convoy proceeded to the south and conditions improved by the day. However, strong tailwinds caused the tow to jaw through an arc of 95 degrees. After a ten days tow, Shanghai pilot station was reached and the master was instructed to bring the FORTUNA at anchor, since the Chinese authorities had not yet issued permission for the river towage to Nantong. After three days and evaluation meetings by the Shanghai and Nantong port authorities, the convoy was permitted to proceed on the Yangtze River under guidance of four river pilots and with two tugs assisting. On December 22nd, the tow was delivered at the ZPMC yard after a successful tow.
Pictures courtesy of Capt Arjan Vos
