Race Rocks Recovery 1999

RACE ROCKS RECOVERY 1999

In our latest exploit, we took ROPOS to the seafloor off Race Rocks to assist in the recovery of a buoy and mooring string with the Canadian Coast Guard. This particular mooring is an alternate design of hybrid construction. Rather than employ chain over its entire length, the string has a centre section of synthetic line.

If tests on the recovered unit confirm its durability, this type of string may come into more widespread use; providing longer service life at reduced cost. But what if the design is not more durable? What kind of shape is this unit in and more importantly, is it even safe to recover it by conventional means? That’s where ROPOS came in. We went along on the Sir Wilfred Laurier to take on the task of cutting the anchor off the end of the mooring. This would ensure that the total load would not exceed the strength of the line during recovery.

For this work, ROPOS was equipped with a hydraulic underwater cut-off saw developed by RSI. Featuring an abrasive wheel as the cutting element, this unit is used primarily in offshore oil work and underwater construction.

The challenges inherent in this type of job are usually sufficient but on this occasion we were afforded a few complicating factors. The most significant of these was the fact that we were on the Laurier for the first time with a skipper and crew that had limited experience with submersible ops.

There are myriad special considerations for handling the sub and positioning the ship. To succeed, this complex and unfamiliar task had to be carried out, in the tidal currents off Race Rocks, as though we’d been working together for years.

On a learning curve with a one-to-one scope, we demonstrated most of the things that could go wrong the first hair-raising day. Day two featured technical problems and a false start - current set and drift made it impossible to finish the first cut. At the end of day two with bad weather closing in and one ‘slack’ left, everything came together. The ‘coup de grace’ for the chain on 'Victor Foxtrot' took seven breath-holding minutes to deliver. With startling suddenness the chain let go, marking the end of ROPOS’ shift and for the Laurier’s crew, the start of a difficult recovery that would stretch into the wee hours.

South Cautionary light buoy 'Victor Foxtrot' is safely back at the base. Another potentially difficult job becomes a part of ROPOS' success story and once again we are impressed with the skill and determination of a Coast Guard captain and crew.

Telephone: 250 363-6332

May 31, 2005