CP VALOUR - WRECK REMOVAL AT THE AZORES

On December 9, 2005, the 15,000 ton container vessel CP Valour grounded in Baia da Praia do Norte on Faial Island in the Azores. In bad weather, the vessel's hull quickly began to fracture. Various attempts to re-float the CP Valour failed and three weeks later she was declared a constructive total loss, CTL.
SVITZER Salvage was awarded the contract for her removal. At SVITZER Salvage head office in IJmuiden, Holland, a very busy period started in preparing and executing this unique removal operation.
This film tells you the story of a race against time and elements.

[@fredparle8808]

Enjoyed my time as Engineer on one of the Tugs used in the Salvage . It was fascinating watching the fitters , welders and divers working in dreadful conditions and the shifts scuttling along the catwalk each day . Mindful of the fact that the beach was a no go no swim area , Svitzer built the locals a swim pool on the shoreline so they would not be inconvenienced . Watching this video was a joy for me and my family to watch . A couple of years later was unlucky to be highjacked off Somalia on a delivery voyage on a brand new TUG , Svitzer Korsakov . Sorry folks the Pirates wouldn't let us take pictures , just believe me it was a scary 47 Days , until we were released . Thanks to a great management team , Svitzer , again won the day . Best Wishes .

[@Utubin]

How much did the scum get for your ransom?

[@kiwiwifi]

I single-handedly refloated my 5 tonne boat from well above the high tide line on a beach. I used a small bottle Jack, some scrap wood, a length of metal pipe and 5 x 6 ft x 3 inch PVC pipes. The kicker for me and the success of the operation was ‘how to go about it ‘ instructions from an 80 YO gentleman passerby that I met a few days before.

[@lonpearson2134]

Great achievement there. Congratulations on your success.

[@dimidomo7946]

An excellent video presentation and narration, I was riveted. Good job Svitzer Global recovering the CP Valour.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

Marine Salvage has fascinated me since I was a kid ..... somehow I ended up with a career as a mining engineer in deep coal mines for 40 years. Watching videos like this makes me wish I'd gone with my first choice :

[@seanogallchoir3237]

The ships that provide logistics to support the economy of the planet need to be fit for purpose. Good ships excellent crews, no need for salvage.

[@jessstone7211]

Absolutely remarkable! Mesmerizing to watch this salvage - all the moving parts, working together. And that last tug! Holy smokes, she could pull a country!!! :) Much respect to all involved.

[@Utubin]

Man I could watch these type documentarys all day every day. I just love them.👍

[@rwood6980]

The best utube video ever. Makes me wish I was a younger man and could be involved in that kind of work. As a former ship captain at age 81, guess I will have to settle for the video. Thanks!

[@johnschofield2818]

I'd have told the chief to get the blasted list off her. ;-)

[@deeremeyer1749]

Yeah. You're an 81-year-old former ship captain watching people "salvage" a ship run aground by idiots like you and you're getting all "excited" wishing you could go "help". You bet. Is somebody preventing you from getting a job? "Retirement age" is "subjective".

[@caesarillion]

My dad was a captain. Live 100 years.

[@richardcline1337]

DEEREMEYER1, what is your major malfunction? Did your boyfriend come home unexpectedly and catch you puffing on another man's pickle? You don't even know R. Wood and yet you post a menopausal comment about him because he's retired? At least he recognizes his limitations and leaves skippering ships to the younger men. Maybe if a certain Captain Smith had been that smart the RMS Titanic might have outlived her sister ship, the Olympic, with both of them going to scrappers instead of one being on the bottom of the Atlantic now. I would classify Mr. Wood as being pretty smart and knowing when to walk away and enjoy the years he has left. Maybe that's your problem, you boyfriend gave you something the doctors can't cure?

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

DEEREMEYER1 If I could get my hands on you I’d put you in an ICU. FOR MONTHS MY MAN. FOR 6 MONTHS MINIMUM. And then when you came out you would be sooooooo fucked up, for life.

[@09beegee]

Looks like a job that could be a hard way to make a buck sometimes. I'm impressed to no end by all the organized mayhem. My compliments to ALL who work in Marine Salvage.

[@richardcline1337]

The CP Valour did the same thing the USS Oklahoma did. Even after raising them and making them seaworthy enough to be towed, both were so weakened that they just finally gave up and sank. Sometimes even the best you can do will be taken over by forces unforeseen no matter how hard you may try. Both vessels are in their element, lying on the bottom of the sea rather than having been cut up for scrap.

[@corneliusdrvanderbilt822]

Maneuvering a small 16 KT took so much effort. Imagine a really big one that carries 20k plus ccntainers or an Ore carrier with 300 kT ...Navigation seas / oceans is far more complex, cumbersome and difficult than Aerial Navigation. However, a fault at Aerial Navigation leads to a real disaster...These people are very special ... I salute them.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

It's just a question of time, I am sure. Baltimore showed us that. Evergiven in the Suez....... As for those mega cruise ships with up 3,000 souls aboard: As demonstrated by the comparatively small Costa Concordia...... Shit happens at sea. (Did 17 years.)

[@gordonpeden6234]

Love watching this, BIG job calls for BIG BALLS. Well done!

[@IanCrawshaw]

I was in Faial in 2006 and saw the stricken CP Valour with all the pontoons etc around to support refloating / removal of cargo. Then read about how it came to be there in the first place. A misunderstanding led to her being driven aground at 6 knots instead of powered in at 0.6 knots! Then winds and tides made her more stuck. You kind of felt she'd be there forever. Props guys!

[@dripman98]

Incredible operation, being Dutch myself it was nice to hear some of the personell talk in my native tongue. The Dutch seem to be heavily involved in Marine salvage , wow... Again , Incredible job !!!!!

[@blakfyr4773]

Jess R umm the Dutch are the best salvers in the world. They think outside the box.

[@deeremeyer1749]

The "Dutch" are "heavily involved" in whatever makes for maximum "profit" per "government regulations" and "public funds".

[@mooiwiele]

Not only sunken ships - sunken land as well...

[@MrBugsier5]

@@deeremeyer1749 wher did you got that"noledge"from?

[@peterlovett5841]

This was fascinating. Thank you very much for posting.

[@bigbird9186]

Utterly a brilliant step by step guide in refloating hull hats off to everyone

[@ralphaverill2001]

I love these videos. This is real work; real creativity. The organization and transportaton logistics of personnel, material, equipment, and sub-contractors, tugs, etc. is just phenomenal. It is probably proprietary information, but I wish they would show the financial breakdown of job costs; payroll, fuel, the cost of the tugs, etc. The jack-up barge with crane was probably tens of thousands a day by itself.

[@alannixon1786]

5

[@seanogallchoir3237]

Had the container ship been operated to best standard, rescue would not be necessary. Many bulk carriers are sinking with the loss of crews.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

@@seanogallchoir3237 They are not anymore: As proven with the Baltimore Bridge collision recently. Power failures on a daily basis it is alleged.

[@MrMAlhassan]

Always very educative and an answer to many questions on salvage of grounded vessels

[@alistairmaiden5499]

Great job I would class this a a success, all hazardous materials removed. The environment protected, and the CP Valour resting on the bottom of the ocean as a stripped out hull. Yes first class job done by all involved, and thanks for sharing this experience.

[@tebigman65]

This type of operation is simply amazing! The video is great and can be used as an instructional item. Thanks a million and God bless these men.

[@philipthomey7884]

brilliant expertise and dedication. Same goes for this video. Respect

[@deksea]

Love these salvage videos. Very impressive achievement. And of course, they always sink in the end once they get them offshore, haha.

[@shaneolivier1650]

What an awesome job done,well done

[@oldmanhuppiedos]

I am always proud of the Dutch work at sea.

[@solomonflavius4411]

Thank you for this very informative and we'll documented video. I got to learn a lot. Thanks again.

[@johnjackson1106]

Riveting stuff, could watch all day👏👏👏

[@vagrantwanderer5810]

An incredible achceivement.......well done.

[@cwsmith7366]

Awesome. Sorry to hear to she didn't make it to a final salvage point, but yeah, extraordinary removal job. Just beautifully done!

[@mcduck5]

20 years prior it would Have been dragged out and scuttled....

[@kevinrowley4595]

Captain Slone is a genius he salvaged the Costa Concordia an unbelievable achievement.;

[@BAZZAROU812]

Kevin Rowley The Costa was a awesome recovery as well.. These folks are some smart cookies..

[@fredericklee9004]

The Costa Concordia was built at a cost of 1 billion US $. The salvage operation - where one of the divers died - cost 2 billion US $. The hull was then scrapped. Since most of the shipwreck was above sea level, it would have been more logical to scrap the sections above the sea level an pile the steel on barges for their removal. The remaining underwater sections could have remained in-situ as a marine-life habitat.

[@lydialas1649]

@Hi Kevin how are you doing

[@fatimaali7539]

So proud to see a Welsh tug boat 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤

[@davidschwartz5127]

Me too, the home of my ancestors 3 generations ago!

[@davidstorton910]

These guy's are very good at what they do

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Years ago I served aboard a US Navy fleet tug, which had salvage capability. I remember the rigging, the things I learned and the amazing capabilities of that ship. For those who know working Navy ships, it was an ATF. Sadly it was given to a South American country. But that is better than disposal. I hope they enjoy my fleet tug.

[@johnsweeney6072]

Hats 🎩 off to you guys you’s make a hard job look so simple. 👍

[@felixthecleaner8843]

Awesome company of men and machines.

[@Scrappycat1966]

undoubtedly an elite group of people....

[@nevilledarman8n21]

Unbelievable great job 👌😍😍😍🇦🇺

[@seanomahony01]

Having worked and lived on her in the nineties as the oocl assurance, many times it was sad to see her go , fun times and hard work on her a happy ship.

[@richardgiles2484]

Massive well done to all of the team 👏 👍 sounded like a Welshman at 16:10 talking about the ancor work and I'd say from South Wales in the UK 😂😂

[@simonpender8331]

Very interesting and an amazing story. Thank you.

[@InjunOutdoors]

Maersk Achiever is def a nice vessel, Got to work on her in the GOM several years back. Great crew

[@Bleriotman]

Very impressive work!

[@michaelvarble4392]

That has to be very satisfying to complete the job in severe conditions like this.

[@billbeck47]

A fantastic crew, company and video

[@nautilus1872]

Afon Caradog out of Holyhead from Anglesey North Wales, cool to see a tug from my neck of the woods helping.

[@c5back9]

Recovered wrecks often sink once away from land and in the deep ocean. It wasn’t good for anything other than breaking apart anyhow, so not much was lost I guess. In fact, loosing her in the deep was definitely less risky, and probably considerably less costly than transporting her to a yard to be broken.

[@thra5herxb12s]

A fascinating story. Very nicely filmed.

[@sheilaghbrosky]

Nick Sloane was the director of the Costa Concordia project. Brilliant man!

[@janbeemsterboer4385]

Yes Nick really knows his skills but, I was there at Giglio on the Costa job proud to work with Capitan Nick Sloane. 🎉

[@charlesmortlock6387]

Fascinating. Thanx and well done.

[@RedeyeCountry]

Fantastic, well done

[@cdouglas1942]

Fascinating story and production.

[@aramirez8427]

Amazing work........If my battleship sinks i am calling you guys.....

[@wilco8729]

Nice to see my dutchies working

[@63256325N]

Hats off to all those guys! 👍

[@carlosalexandretorres4197]

Amazing job!!

[@davidbarnsley8486]

What a great video even how old it is It is so fascinating to see how this all happens 👍👍

[@mcduck5]

I think it was 2006

[@gordonpeden6234]

Capt. Nick Sloane was also in charge of salvaging the "Costa Concordia" Brilliant Videos. Well done sir! Great teamwork.

[@MegaHartog]

compliments to this TEAM. ..

[@lucas2002D]

The dutch poeple are gods with boats and water ..i am dutch🤣🤣🤣

[@thomassackett4091]

great work,svitzer. one must imagine if the sinking was in the plans,all along...either way,situation solved best...in my opinion.

[@droquesteni]

Very nice!!! Thanks for the share! :D

[@terrystephens1102]

Very well done 😃👌👌👌👏👏👏👏👏

[@jeffcampbell1555]

Just watched salvage of bulk carrier Benita before this. Also a super complex job, also in a remote location (Mauritius.) The salvage team also succeeded in job number one; get the pollutants off and float the wreck off the shore. AND also lost the casualty not far out to sea in deep water. Modern marine salvage is an amazing business.

[@Kni0002]

Just what I thought of when they said it sunk after being towed

[@jim28fl]

Seems that sinking after they are pulled off is a secret part of the salvage plan most of the time.

[@patrickrobinson-mh5jw]

very good video interesting to see the efforts put into getting this ship of the rocks

[@tomtom3889]

That’s sick good work

[@granskare]

I am age 80+, I was at Azores on late 1950's. We landed there with a C121.

[@junacaba6451]

so...what's the big idea?

[@normatrinidad1292]

Good job ka sister mary pagkatapos ng tyaga sa pag ani pagluto sarap naman ng kainan .tuwa ng mga bata.hahah.Godbless

[@shippinginbox]

Amazing video

[@TheSilmarillian]

Nice 1 hello from Australia

[@sheilaghbrosky]

Capt. Sloane was the genius who righted the Costa Concordia. Absolute hero!

[@paulharmans3120]

Zie ik zomaar Jan Polderman terug in deze video! Als je dit leest Jan, fantastisch werk man! We zaten ooit samen op het DSV Stena Marianos voor de kust van Brazilië. Jan als DP operator en ik als bootsman.

[@bigbob1699]

If it is in the water and in trouble , get a Dutchman !

[@SalimKhan-gk1fh]

Excellent salvage operation and nicely filmed ! does anyone know the music which begins at 6.20 ??

[@budburr66]

Strand jacks pulling on dyneema hauser. These cats were serious about pulling that thing off the beach!

[@renegaudes3076]

Amazing!

[@HarryHov]

12:17 looks fun on that bridge

[@jacksonroos7326]

Svitzer AS a company own by the APM Group (A.P.Moller Maersk, Copenhagen)

[@michaelhernandez7192]

great job , well done

[@paulomedeiros5831]

bom trabalho foi pena nao chegar ao porto da HORTA

[@barkingdoggai]

The upslope of the sea floor contributes to the wave height. Hitting against the ship is merely what would occur against the shoreline where there are vertical walls, such as the sides of the wreck.

[@genemartin6962]

I would LOVE to see that salvage bill!!

[@hansb.8]

Svitzer Salvage and their partners are the heros of

[@luiscarlos-gv8py]

boa noite esse mar que Deus nos deu esconde muito mistérios serra que o homem vai descobrir alguma coisa diferente? Só esperar otimo vídeo luis salvador ba

[@stephenbrown5844]

JUST BRILLIANT

[@gregmodelle7343]

Is it to suppose that events like the grounding of the CP Valour are entirely preventable? Maritime commerce would suggest otherwise. Thank you for your heroic work to preserve the environment.

[@prant8998]

Trust me, no one was surprised, the ship got far enough offshore and suddenly sunk. They weren’t going to pay to tow that hulk back to Amsterdam to be cut up. Wink, wink.

[@nickybritain4900]

How can anyone price the cost of salvage? 86 men for 9 months, tugs and more tugs, equipment and all the ancillary extras. Must run into tens of millions, no one said how much this salvage cost, it would be interesting to know.

[@roberthill4652]

That is so cool they should show clips of all them cats getting mad at each other they seem to be really cool in a horrible situation

[@logicalguy488]

Awesome

[@michaelmixon2479]

Wish I had thought of this type of job when I was a young man.

[@PortCharmers]

7:43 is hilarious. It looks like the five guys are lifting off the hatch cover just like that. It's easy, just bend your knees and keep your back straight.

[@delboytrotter8806]

Well done people........

[@user-js4zx1lr2u]

Better the tow should part at the tug end, the cable just hits the casualty bow. I was fascinated by marine salvage when I was a kid, I think that I'd have gotten into that... But I was pulled in a different direction, being an aviation nut, and learning to fly when I was 17..

[@viocorney8787]

Lovely

[@airindiana]

It’s not a sofa or armchair. Why are they pronouncing the name is if it’s the spelling of a type of 1980s soft furnishing material?

[@ericlakota6512]

Thease guys have every thhing and all nice new painted stuff. Compaired to other salvage crews you see doing this it like every thing is new. Chokers even the ramp they had

[@RetroHabit82]

Now an artificial reef RIP CPV

[@JR-bj3uf]

So, did their pumps and equipment go down the the CP Valour? Will that be added to the final billing?

[@hankwinig3972]

all good .But why not put the tugs closer so they clear sand off the hull at the same time?

[@AVB2]

She is resting 6500 feet or 1.2 miles deep now off the coast of Faial (for us Americans who don't understand the metric system!)

[@greyhoundruby]

At what point is the salvage considered a success? Even though the hull has been lost, are they still payed? In my eyes it is a success, it is safely off the shore and only the hull is on the seabed away from harm.