A superstructure block of a very large crude carrier (VLCC) being built
by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) slipped from a barge and sank on September
15, while underway in Ulsan waters, Yonhap reports.
by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) slipped from a barge and sank on September
15, while underway in Ulsan waters, Yonhap reports.
As informed, the huge block was underway toward HHI’s manufacturing
facility in Ulsan, South Korea, when it fell into the water.
facility in Ulsan, South Korea, when it fell into the water.
Yonhap said that the structure in question is in fact the deckhouse of
the vessel, spanning 60 meters in length, 21 meters in width and 38 meters in
height, and weighing 917 tons.
the vessel, spanning 60 meters in length, 21 meters in width and 38 meters in
height, and weighing 917 tons.
The structure was being transported on a 3,680-tonne barge, towed by a
tugboat toward HHI’s Ulsan yard.
tugboat toward HHI’s Ulsan yard.
There were four people on board the tugboat and one on board the barge
when the incident occurred, fortunately, they are all reported to be safe.
when the incident occurred, fortunately, they are all reported to be safe.
Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to send a diver to the site to assess the
situation of the mega block, before moving ahead with the salvage plan, Yonhap
added.
situation of the mega block, before moving ahead with the salvage plan, Yonhap
added.
The cause of the sinking is under investigation.
Credit: World Maritime News; Illustration, Image Courtesy: Flickr/SarahTz under CC BY 2.0 license
