Salving Jody F Millennium

On the 6th of February 2002 the Panamanian registered log ship, Jody F Millennium battled unusually large swells in New Zealand's Gisborne Harbour.
After breaking her moorings and struggling to prevent further damage, a decision was made to run for sea. This is a salvers story...
Produced by: Mark Chrisp & Ian Hoskinson for United Salvage (NZ) Ltd.
Narrated by: Mike McRoberts
Converted from VHS tape Feb 2024.

[@chrissnape9537]

I wish I knew the profit for the salvage company. They deserve every penny. Great work

[@64Pete]

Appreciate you sharing this. Fascinating to see a little of this industry I knew nothing about. ✌🇦🇺

[@Mark-GVP]

Pleasure Pete, thx for the comment.

[@harharmahadev5715]

Great skills and talented people on board. Greetings from Suriname 🇸🇷

[@Mark-GVP]

Greetings and I agree.

[@HFarms1955]

GREAT job gentleman!!!! What a task!👍👍

[@sandygalbraith9491]

That was splendid to watch. Great to see a lot of familiar faces, like Ian Hoskinson and the legendary Dave Hancox in action. Dave died way too early. Thanks for posting this.

[@Mark-GVP]

I agree Sandy, always a shock to lose legends like these. I spoke with Ian the most during production, what an amazing man, he was just one of those rare individuals to be around, with his huge knowledge of the industry to boot, much was the same for the entire crew. Regretfully contact was so limited with the job on hand, sitting down for anything but salvage related issues was just out of the question. I would love to hear what everyone involved is doing now. Pleased you enjoyed the view and so pleased to blow the dust off this old VHS tape to finally show true masters of the sea at work.

[@montanasnowman3138]

​@user-ec3zg7hg4o is there more of these type of salvage videos. I freaking love them.

[@Mark-GVP]

Thanks for the comment montana. These sort of videos would be rare just by the dangerous nature of them, do let us all know if you find any. The problem is the risk involved to produce, esp. onboard, as mentioned in other comments.

[@lauriehenderson9915]

Amazing work ethic. I am in awe.

[@Mark-GVP]

As was I, thanks for the comment.

[@GanzotheSecond]

great little doc! thanks for sharing mate

[@Mark-GVP]

Pleasure Ganzo, thx for the comment.

[@kiwidiesel]

Absolutely brilliant work on the doco, I remember this occuring vividly and it is great to be able to watch the entire recovery as it happened back then.

[@Mark-GVP]

Thanks so much kiwi, certainly was memorable.

[@MOSSFEEN]

Brilliant Video Built in 1999 in Japan and delivered in Feb 2000. Ran a ground as per video, was repaired and renamed Millennium Bight (June 2002) In Nov 2006 ran a ground again in New Caladonia and was refloated after 3 weeks. In 2008 it was sold and renamed Singapore Grace and In 2010 it was sold again and was renamed Birch 4 and in 2015 it was renamed Georgia K. It all ended in 2019 when she was sold for scrap and broken up in Chittagong India

[@Mark-GVP]

I'm amazed she was aground for 2 years from 2006 to 2008, she sure had a tuff life. Thanks for the update.

[@MOSSFEEN]

@@Mark-GVPNo she was refloated after 3 weeks

[@jimhallinsn1023]

Therefore a full working g life with a few mishaps.

[@danielfantino1714]

I don´t have ship knowledge, but being transformed in Toyota at age 20, isn´it too soon ? Thanks for that document.

[@ogunsharpeningservice]

Our ships on the Great Lakes last nearly 100 years

[@UQRXD]

Nice video. I served on an ocean going tug we did SAR. We had 4-12 cylinder diesels.

[@TheSilmarillian]

I was in Newcastle when the Pasha Bulka was salvaged strangely enough it was back about year later renamed and sailing into the port of Newcastle. Great work by United on this featured salvage.

[@TheDaf95xf]

What a fantastic skill full crew 👍🏻

[@Mark-GVP]

They certainly were, thanks for the comment.

[@BlackCoinCrypto]

I grew up in Gisborne and was there when she grounded. The following morning you could smell the fuel oil all over town. From my work i could look out and see the stack sticking up above the buildings in town. It looked much closer that it does in the videos. I can tell you exactly what F stands for.

[@Mark-GVP]

👍

[@slgordon3]

This is a video that every man’s man will enjoy.

[@Gecko....]

Porn for retired dads, I bet they all assembled on the beach to discuss the salvage operation and give advice.

[@kevinducharme1263]

as a dry land logh-hauler, this was fun to watch.

[@Mark-GVP]

Hadn't thought of that, I bet those swells must have been challenging and the need for sea legs. Thanks for shearing.

[@gragor11]

After burning through all of the Smitt and other salvage companies videos long time ago I'm hoping I will be finding more videos from United Salvage.

[@Mark-GVP]

I too would like to see more of these, however after filming this I understood how risky it is for salvers having another klutz around to worry about, things can go pear shape very fast. Some of their salvage stories make your hairs stand up and to be onboard amongst a team like this carries a certain risk for others safety and I'm not surprised how sparse these titles are. I just happened to be in the area 22 years ago and was lucky enough to have been asked to document this salvage. My admiration for all involved with this refloat is still today overwhelming, these guys were true legends in their fields, down to incredible organizational skills, experience, situational awareness and military like precision. Every single one of them carried huge credentials from shear experience, from riggers, wielders, captains, engineers and salvage mastery, all of them combined made impossible possible.

[@paulreilly3904]

I too have watched all those very same videos. The best one being the ship aground off the Channel islands on her maiden? voyage. Glad I've found this. It's very good. Thanks

[@Mark-GVP]

@@paulreilly3904 Thanks Paul, I'll have to take a look.

[@HunterChrisp]

So cool! Incredible

[@Mark-GVP]

Thanks for the comment. 😉

[@Shipspotting_Vietnam]

Just amazing!!

[@Mark-GVP]

Thanks for the comment..

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous. Fascinating.

[@Mark-GVP]

Thanks for the comment.

[@Bod8998]

Very very interesting mad to see the technology used for the time.must cost a fortune and fuel just to fly one log at a time off

[@Mark-GVP]

Couldn't agree more.

[@donalfinn4205]

Very interesting.

[@Mark-GVP]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@morganmccarthur1633]

I don't recall seeing this beach on any vacation brochures.

[@paradad999]

I have only just watched this video and would love to know how much it all cost.

[@pauls4708]

some very interesting details shown there. Just a scaled up 4wd recovery!

[@Mark-GVP]

😊

[@TronVila]

lol

[@nicolaspeters2555]

"Deep pockets" So how much was the salvage operation?

[@2nd_of_3]

I remember the New Carissa well. Nice to see how it should have been done 😐

[@andysaunders3708]

Slow and steady, etc.

[@thefinalkayakboss]

Hell yeah seatow. Those guys are a local business, started in southold long island, 5 minutes from my house. Their world HQ is the same little building on youngs avenue that its been since they were a little like 5 boat company.

[@steeevo0136]

I would love to know what the total cost breakdown on this mammoth operation ended up being. Repeatedly changing the name of this vessel certainly did nothing to improve its luck. Maybe the old superstitions are true.

[@Mark-GVP]

Ha... you may be right. Wish I did get wind of cost, but sadly not, I did hear the word Voluminous mentioned a lot.

[@someguydino6770]

whoa; using a thermal lance to cut of the rudder @ 36:16 !

[@johns3106]

Would love to know what the salvage operation cost!

[@Mark-GVP]

A word kicking around at the time was "voluminous". :)

[@danielfantino1714]

Refloating Pollution Repairs Downtime not working Yep a lot of $$$$$$

[@johnmurray9526]

Helicopter lifting one log off? 😂 really what a waste of time and fuel. Must be 10000 logs there.. even lifting even 20 off won't make any difference.

[@Mark-GVP]

Actually there was a method to this seeming madness, I too had the same attitude until I understood the method they employed, every ton was carefully measured. The rough weather made unloading normally far to hazardous until the weather allowed conventional methods back. What most folk didn't realize was that the salvers were getting Jody to dig her own way out. Every ton was carefully calculated, as they needed her to gently sit down at low tide, then let the wave action slowly dig a trench beneath. Weight balance appeared to be key and at high tide they refloated her, made some ground, then rinsed and repeated. Because of the giant 8m hole in her hull the only thing keeping her afloat was compressed air, continual weight calculations were obviously critical to use this method. So many first-time salvers shouted abuse at their ideas and wanted them to try their own salving theories, but they knew what they were doing. They knew if they pulled to hard, she'd rip in two, if she sat down to heavy, she'd break up. The danger and risk involved in any method would be extremely high, just goes to show that experience is the winner under any situation and to be extremely weary of new ideas. This had to be the most professional salvage team to ever grace our shores, the most incredible amount of generational salvage experience at play. The salvage master, David Hancox was a true legend of the sea, I count myself lucky to witness his craft.

[@janwitts2688]

An actual workers documentary..

[@shanematijevich3452]

Good watch

[@Mark-GVP]

Thanks for the comment Shane.

[@billb7876]

Why did it have to leave harbour, surely it would have been safer staying put?

[@Mark-GVP]

In the unusual heavy swells inside the harbor, she broke every mooring and started hitting each side of the wharf, it was then the call was made that she'd be safer at sea.

[@charliepyle1626]

Big ships go to sea in rough weather. They are made for it. Boats head for cover.

[@BlackCoinCrypto]

She started smashing the crap out of the harbor.

[@Softail77us]

I thought I was watching a Smit salvage operation for a minute. The Dutch have a little more upbeat narrator..

[@40beretta1]

One log at a time...I'd love to see the bill for that alone. To many ships are registered in Far eastern nations... their operations are far more risky than other Nations

[@jeanettenorman7052]

Given the ship grounded and damaged engines as you say. Question - was this ship overloaded to begin with?

[@Mark-GVP]

As far as I know she was not overloaded, but with unexpected huge swells combined with being loaded created a monster gamble in depth between troughs. This would have been a terrifying situation to be in as a captain I'm sure, keep getting slammed into the wharf on both sides or gamble an exit, what a decision to make.

[@jimhallinsn1023]

Unlikely, timber cargo and the load line rules are strictly enforced. Unless standards have slipped since my maritime days.

[@markbailey6051]

Forced to leave? I would have refused if I were the Captain.

[@Mark-GVP]

Certainly would have been a tuff call either way.

[@Look_What_You_Did]

Everybody knows your type.... First one off, first one to say you were forced off over beers at the pub, while everybody cleans up your mess.

[@patchmack4469]

i have to say as i watched this various ideas came to mind, and i begin to wonder at the organisers running the show, obviously they are very experienced - but some issues just scream for obvious solutions - get a crew onboard to access damage, defuel in progress etc, attend to environmental fuel spills (i always think some kind of barge fitted with a filtration system and simply suck contaminants up) from the underwater survey they showed the build up of sand at the sides, so it was obvious she can only move forward and the weight onboard is an issue, so they buggered about with helicopters, removing one matchstick at a time - i thought, get some plant with long reach onboard with log grabbing capability to move overboard onto a barge, then they began to do this later on - not sure why the cranes on board couldn't be used, obviously a power issue, can't the engines be used to power these without need of propulsion? sure issues were addressed, but some seem obvious with late conclusions i wonder if dropping anchor might have avoided grounding to begin, maybe another power issue, but i'm sure anchors are designed to be dropped without - ok so she lost an anchor i see the biggest issue i have, is we have these huge ships, and still have nothing even bigger to salvage them

[@Mark-GVP]

So many first-time salvers came up with ideas on a daily basis as you could imagine, ideas you could even see merit with, but for the salvers, slow an steady won the race.

[@patchmack4469]

@@Mark-GVP yep and i realise this being an old video, much has changed - or has it - thinking back to the Golden Ray, i was glued to this on Captain Andy's channel, the mind boggles, again the solution was there, but the recovery vehicle needed to be a tad bigger, but then operating in such shallow water, so bigger wider barges with legs like rigs to sit down, pass many straps underneath and slowly rotate the patient back upright, i'm so sure re-floating and shifting internal cargo etc would be so much safer - of course its much about money, but the solution i'd have would contain everything needed - ever watched 'Thunderbirds' i mean its not difficult, you could have three or four dotted about to cover the oceans and main traffic corridors, when all considered that went wrong could have and should have been sorted in a few weeks and not three years, dreadful mess

[@merhaba8]

All your ideas have merit but this isn’t US or Europe where equipment can relatively easierly brought in. They had to do what with what they had. Using the cranes to dump the logs overboard onto a barge was done when a suitable barge was availible and conditions allowed but even that was difficult. As far as using helicopters to lift the logs off, I knew one of the owner/pilots and he said while it looked like they wern’t doing much they could work when swells made it impossible for a barge, if availible, to operate. They actually lifted more off than the barge did. As far as dropping anchor to stop it grounding, where it grounded was a very short distance from the channel and I doubt that doing that would’ve been effective, but I’m not a expert in that field. When it was at is closest to the shore you could almost walk out to it at low tide!

[@lonpearson2134]

A dredge should have brought in to dig a channel as soon as the depths were known.within a week, a channel could have been cut in place.

[@Mark-GVP]

I did hear them say, because of the geographical isolation, obtaining specialist vessels was a serious logistical nightmare for them.

[@jbrobertson6052]

Special chemicals to disperse the oil lol DISHSOAP

[@alexhayden2303]

Appalling Deforestation?

[@merhaba8]

No its not. They’re man planted forests that are replanted straight away. Thge biggest problem is the slash that is left after harvest and ends up on the beaches.

[@grahammartindouglass2413]

Salving..WTF Salvaging is the term in Queens English. A former SMIT Salvage Master

[@the-naked-sailor]

Being relatively new to nautical terms, I thought it sounded unusual. Then again, I reckon it needs an overhaul to reflect modern times, especially speed and distance.

[@keithnichols7926]

Webster's dictionary permits "salving." New words crop up in all languages, and "salving" would be in the tradition of "haul," "hauling" and "haulage." But the Oxford English Dictionary seems to accept only "salvage" as the verb.

[@grahammartindouglass2413]

@@the-naked-sailor Thanks for the response..guess slang creeps in everywhere today..👍.You take care now.

[@Gecko....]

Biggest thing to ever happen in NZ

[@Mark-GVP]

A quick search shows other significant events. No lives were lost here.

[@randywl8925]

Google New Carissa, Coos Bay oregon for a similar story....... tho not ending so well. A not so funny commedy of errors.

[@TheRoguelement]

And you people really don't understand why our planet is doomed really ? What I would love to know is who figured it was prudent to leave port during such weather advisory's ?

[@Mark-GVP]

Jody broke every mooring she had, then started bashing each side of the wharf in the unprecedented huge swells. The decision would have been a nightmare for the captain stay and destroy, or run for the open sea, not one I'd like to make.

[@montanasnowman3138]

The helicopter discharge is stupid. It woyld take years discharge a ship thst big 1 log at a time😊

[@Mark-GVP]

There is a reply to read about this from me under @johnmurray9526 above.

[@BlackCoinCrypto]

It was found to be just as fast and similar cost as using a tug and barge. Sounds stupid but this is the way they did it. It's a private salvage, they will choose the cheapest overall solution.

[@merhaba8]

I knew one of the owner/pilots and he said they shifted alot more than what it looked like, and it certainly made a difference.

[@kailaniandi]

Did anyone learn their lesson? Letting your resources go to someone else to make money for a foreign land.