Three in One (salvage of the MT BETELGEUSE)

[@jackosullivan3913]

That was an awesome salvage operation, successfully executed; but we must not forget that 50 people died on that night of 09 January 1979 when a substandard vessel split in two and caught fire as she was alongside an isolated marine island terminal where safety and fire-fighting measures had been dangerously downgraded by the terminal operator, Gulf Oil. Bantry will always remember that day, commemorated especially on 09 January 2019. One of my friends lost his father on that day; many other families also grieved.

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

How Was the tanker substandard? Was it poor maintenance? I've read it was at the end of its service life but it was only 11 years old. Most tankers seem to last 15 to 20 years even up to 25 years.

[@neptunenavalmods4420]

@@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24 Yes, badly corroded ballast tanks ... investigative report said the interiors were rotted & covered with rust. Ship owner could have used protective coating to stop the rust, but they didn't (to save money).

[@philippal8666]

The aft was creeepy. I know that’s where the fire and death was, but still…

[@jackosullivan3913]

@@philippal8666 The after part of the ship was indeed where some of the crew died, while others died in the water after jumping overboard. The interior of any vessel which has been underwater for a considerable time is always horrible, muddy, everything disturbed by the action of the sea, and a feeling of where a tragedy has occurred. Thank you for your comment, Philippa

[@CiaranInIreland]

@@jackosullivan3913 Some also died while sheltering in place on the off shore jetty, one of them was my Uncle, if only the shore staff could have kept a better lookout, instead of playing cards maybe some of those men would have been saved.

[@cvanderh]

Geweldig om te zien, mijn opa was kapitein van de Barracuda. Mijn vader was tevens werkzaam bij Smit als Supervising Engineer. Een stukje Hollandse glorie.

[@michaelmulligan0]

RIP to the 50 people who died when the tanker exploded and diver who died in the salvage operation

[@CasaOsso]

How did that happen ?

[@michaelmulligan0]

@ a tanker called the Betelgeuse exploded while discharging 114,000 tons of crude oil. They believe it was caused by a structural failure of the ship.

[@bgd73]

40 years later..still amazing. glad for the documentary.

[@cyberp0et]

40 years later, someone would complain that the narrator used the word "men" for the people involved in the salvage operations, and that the team was too white and women were underrepresented ;)

[@EdsRodShop]

I remember the bang which woke the whole family up even though we were 10 miles away. I remember seeing various stages of the salvage as a child. Great to see what really went on a Whiddy,

[@basvandongen7043]

I love this channel, My grandfather used to work for Smit Salvage. When i was younger he used to show me video's of salvages, my favorite one was the autocarrier Herrald of Free Enterprise in Zeebrugge

[@mich7576]

A tragedy that will never be forgotten between the old and young the story will always be told.

[@kekzoet7487]

Incredible job! Nice film of Pim Korver.

[@donalfinn4205]

Smit Tak is a wonderful company with a world renowned reputation, earned by the skill of its employees.👏

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

Yes, they are an outstanding world renowned company!!! you should see their offices in Houston, Texas and their location on the water in Baytown Texas! It’s huge!! negative. Scratch that.!!! it’s actually, LEVIATHAN-SIZE!!

[@gordonyoud5975]

Now that's what I call "MANS WORK". Great video. :-))

[@gerardberkhout2923]

Karen Jaap Pols was his name , ik remember the tug Barracude from Maassluis the Netherlands never forget Jaap Pols a hero .

[@timtwichell1534]

Pim, I have waited many years to see good,clear versions of this film and the "Herald Of Free Enterprise" in English... I have rough copies of both.... For a man that loves Smit and marine salvage in general, these films are true Legends!!!!, Fantastic films telling of herculean feats!! Thank you so much for sharing these true classics of the Dutch Salvage industry. Awsome!!, TimT.

[@LindaCoffee-e3k]

I started watching these, because, my man is a underwater weilder, and works salvage operation. As a loved one you hold them in prayer, the whole time they are gone. Love them hard when they are home. Because when they leave for work, you don't know if they will come home. It's always in the back of your mind. 😢😢. But you put them in God's hands. His will be done.

[@eme4611]

Those guys know what they're doing, that's for sure. Great job, and good documentary.

[@ianmasters8344]

Thanks for this one. I remember being in Ireland and seeing the stern section on the barge when I was on holiday. A fantastic achievement by you all.

[@martydelft5923]

Wat hebben jullie mannen een knap staaltje werk geleverd een wereld primeur, Nederland stond weer op de kaart, maar ook Smit Tak topwerk !!!👍😁 Bedankt voor deze documentaire 🤩 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

[@alanhodder6166]

As a native of Cork (the county where this took place) this is a fascinating video! I was only 3 at the time but I have vague memories of the disaster. I'm amazed at the complexity and sheer scale of the operation. Thanks for sharing!

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

Do you still live in GORK? I mean Pork? Shit. I mean CORK!!!! do you still live in Nork?? Jesus H Christ!!!!!!! Cork!!! CORK! Dammit!! CORK!!! do you still live in Cork????? you don’t know how much I wish my spellcheck worked!!!!!!!!!

[@MrMrliamo]

@@garlandremingtoniii1338 grow up dickead, only a clown replys to a 10 year old comment

[@stefeniedavidmusic]

Man those guys really know what they are doing. What a dangerous job.

[@g2macs]

When you look at the stern you realise the term 'explosion' doesn't do it justice. The documentary itself was remarkable, and fair play to the camera team who went on board to take the internal shots......

[@jamesberlo4298]

@** they removed it before they raised it, but it was almost completely flattened, you can see photos of it before it sank online.

[@michaelrck]

Ya just know its 1979 when the workers have no hard hats or harnesses or that the guy spray painting and has no Mask and a cigarette in his hand. Those were the days!

[@joshhunter5614]

I remember in the early 2000s there was a documentary on one of the discovery channels about the salvage of fishing boat that was wrecked on a beach, I think in Alaska. I must've watched that more than 5 times.

[@hfraat25]

Absolutely amazing a pleasure to watch ☺👍👍👍

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Simply fantastic. Deepest respect and condolences to all involved.

[@gordonpeden6234]

I'm blown away at the scale of this operation, the organization, skill, and know how, all evidenced in this doco. Well done all involved.

[@ctech14367]

Impressive, cool 70’s music and narration.

[@jaquigreenlees]

Besides the missing mention of those who passed away from this event, of those 500+ days for this job, how many were down time due to bad weather? The majority of the hands-on work in salvage operations cannot be done in bad weather.

[@martinshelvey823]

Excellent work by Smit salvage

[@jessstone7486]

Is Smit Tak the same as Smit Salvage? did Smit Salvage buy out Smit-Tak?

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Amazing, those guys tackled this like they were having a walk in the park. Looks like very dangerous work indeed. Great film that's well shot. I never knew this went on the year after. I remember the morning after that happened in January '79, there was a big black smoke cloud over the town I lived in, and that was a long way from Bantry.

[@philipeerhart2602]

Dat brengt hele mooie herinneringen naar boven, bedankt Pim!

[@MrAustruck]

27:11 spraying the block, no mask and a ciggy in his hand .. how times have changed ay

[@lachlanlandreth9069]

Also how they used polystyrene. There would be many people these days that would consider the use of the polystyrene worse then the leaked oil..

[@Zt3v3]

Reminds me of my childhood. My Dad was a painter and he always had a smoke in his mouth while painting a car.....COPD and Heart Disease was the end result.

[@bgd73]

reminded me of the military aircraft i worked. It is a sadistic laugh to remember.

[@SpaceCrete]

Now just need some alcohol for a balanced diet.

[@johndo3930]

and no live jacket insight.

[@nativemanateeroughskins774]

The guy with the fishing pole must have got some good Intel from those divers🤣

[@neilhobson3624]

I know mate. I tickled me when I saw him glide by with his rod. I expected to see him having a bollocking. 👍.

[@laknox88]

Watched that a while back. Was hooked on salvage vids at the time. Some others on streaming channels, too. Hulu, NF, etc. Huge salvage going on in St. Simon Sound, GA. The MV Golden Ray, a RORO (roll on / roll off) car carrier headed to the Middle East with a load of ~4,200 cars, mostly Hyundai and Kia.

[@cyberp0et]

Wow, impressive salvage operation!

[@lee2217]

Amazing work my all involved

[@PKFVchannel]

@davetileguy note that this was in 1979; different times, different rules....

[@gragor11]

PKFVchannel Ya. that is one of the most notable things about this video.

[@bend3rbot]

Yep, and hordes died on the job or of cancer at far earlier years than today, and they all deaf and blind by long before. Good riddance to bad work practice

[@EM.1]

I haven’t realized until I red your channel description you’re Dutch or Dutch is your second language. I would have never guessed your English is very good like the one that has English as first language.

[@timothysmith8300]

Keep up the good work SMITTAK

[@mikekavanagh8952]

Sad loss of life and amazing salvage operation.

[@deezelfairy]

200 tons of polystyrene balls! I thought emptying a bean bag was a chore! 😂

[@robinwells8879]

That must’ve been some horrific explosion to cause the damage that was apparent. Awesome skill to perform thar feat of engineering.

[@ARetiredPirate]

I went to bantry 6 years ago especially for this place, unfortunately the little museum was closed that week but it was very impressive to see where it happened, crazy times back then.

[@McGyverGuy2Fly]

Here from Watch Wes Work. Great video. Back before OSHA really got involved lol

[@karenkeating6824]

No mention of the dutch diver who died during the salvage operation.

[@DiscusRussell]

sorry to hear he died how did it happen

[@erniew5805]

the crew and some dock workers were also killed

[@johnwalther1049]

ernie w aaaaaa.----------

[@nickraschke4737]

Really? And no mention? That sucks. Lawyer negotiated non disclosure agreements/payment perhaps.

[@michaelmulligan0]

50 people also died when the tanker exploded

[@tanseetan1]

Be interesting to know what the cost of the operation was.

[@BScar23625]

Excellent documentary film, produced to a high professional standard. Just one comment. It makes no mention of the diver who was killed in the operation. Sure, any industrial process involves risk, but one loss of life is too many.

[@brentbarnhart5827]

How was he killed?

[@BScar23625]

@@brentbarnhart5827 The death of the diver is widely reported, but without detail. The guy was actually a 'diving supervisor'. If you find out what happened then let me know.

[@michaelmulligan0]

Or the 50 people who died in the explosion

[@MsMaurice23]

Awesome salvage operation ❤

[@jamesgraham6122]

Excellent documentary. Amazing feat of engineering. Perhaps could have done without the triumphant music, 50 men had perished on that ship, plus a diver during the salvage operation.

[@russwentz3957]

Wow, I am not surprised a diver died. Seriously hazardous diving work.

[@tinutolat2433]

Verry nice documentaire......

[@robertbosman5398]

I knew Willem in person great person RIP

[@neilhobson3624]

Great documentary. Must be a good job to have👍👍🇬🇧. I’m

[@jamesberlo4298]

The poor bastards that were Killed on this , what horrible deaths. These Men have Balls I cant imagine, especially the Divers working on it.

[@deafmusician2]

Oddly enough, you don't see feminists demanding these high paying jobs!

[@nickbreen287]

Did they find anything? Large explosions can make people completely disappear.

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

@@PieAndChips imagine however unpleasant that job would be. Diving into a wreck to collect bodies.

[@davehowe4714]

No way is he carrying a fishing rod at 30:58 🤣 break time lads, who’s for a fish dinner tonight?

[@russwentz3957]

I wondered if he was actually carrying a fishing pole! Pre-oiled fish for dinner.

[@chrismanning1746]

Fish and chips please Send me some I'm over in Connecticut USA

[@RubenKelevra]

Great day for fish'n ain' it?

[@johndo3930]

screw this shit im going fishing

[@bigoldgrizzly]

@@russwentz3957 white fish or oily fish chaps ?

[@tomaya64]

very impressive work!

[@LOIANDCOBHRAMBLERSGUY]

Great video. Mighty men to undertake the salvage. A terrible tragedy as a result of H&S failings

[@EM.1]

I have never heard of this ship accident. Amazing documentary how and where I can find more informations about this shipwreck?

[@ggurks]

I was expecting to hear something about the diver who died during the salvage operation. Strange that they did not mention it at all. Otherwise a very interesting documentary

[@mrstephenthomas100]

Polystyrene just wouldn't do now. Bet any that got into the sea is still there now in various sea creatures, and us..................by now.

[@adamdoezema1318]

It's amazing to see how the company developed between this salvage and later ones... the anchor chain saw blade! lol

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Yes, having come here from the MSC Napoli salvage...I agree.

[@MultiArrie]

Now they use diamond chain from the marbel industy into cut wrecks even though engineblock, ms tricolor.

[@xiro6]

i was looking for the chain saw,just to realize it was the plain chain,just that.

[@eliastsoukalas5822]

Very nice work!!

[@mike4442u]

Too bad that the Control Room operator was absent, which was later covered up and the terminal fire engine failed to start....

[@johncahalane7327]

I remember the explosion well I heard it live 18km away two people I knew died in the disaster, many of the Smittech people in the film stayed in the hotel I worked at too. Very sad times

[@gillgetter3004]

RIP to the sailors, and oil workers who lost their lives

[@wilfredprins9718]

Which dredgers where used to dredge around the aft section?

[@Gearheadtom]

At 27:10 , fella painting with no respirator, cigarette in the other hand haha

[@TheDoppelgangster]

30:58 - Yeah, just doing a spot of fishing....nothing to see here mate.................

[@brentbarnhart5827]

LOL I saw that......

[@Canofasahi]

Geweldig dat deze op KZbin staat :D

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

Aparently the ship was really worn out and at the end of its service life after just 11 years.

[@mikegallant811]

So apparently the motor tanker Betelgeuse was a real rust bucket by that point.

[@Kevin19700]

Excellent video!

[@greavous93]

Ok, be honest when answering.... Who pronounced the name of this ship properly the 1st thru the 5th time you tried it?

[@CARLIN4737]

Loving these salvage vids. 😉 classic 📺

[@yamabushi170]

What's going on here!?! Where's the edgy and dramatic music constantly playing the background? Where is the sudden unexpected crisis? Where is the close up personal dramas of the men on the ground? Where are the crazy camera angles and rapid fire editing? Why is there no hysterical over the top narration? What the hell is going on here!?!?!?!

[@dietermontanez6576]

@Reg. Oper. Team do you understand irony? = "the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect." pre-youtube/Greta world

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

Reg. Oper. Team r

[@higgydufrane]

@Mr.M - Quit yelling at everyone. Caps lock OFF please. Also, learn to recognize sarcasm.

[@bdante3586]

Absolutely, very good to remind me that it's not me growing old after all but the mediocre quality of news on tv nowadays. That's why I stopped watching tv altogether and only watch youtube videos on my smart tv

[@alangurman3961]

What a dick

[@daleskidmore1685]

Interesting record of the recovery. There is a reference on Wikipedia titled The Whiddy Island Disaster, which has some info on the aftermath of the incident.

[@mikegallant811]

Let's raise a tall cool beer 🍻 or two to SMIT TAK, best Marine salvage company in the world. Those fellas handled the MT Betelgeuse ,Herald of Free Enterprise,Costa Concordia, and I would have to figure many other wrecked vessels.

[@AA-ou8kl]

what was the cost of the the salvage?

[@alickclearanceservices4692]

Interesting watch.👍

[@MajorT0m]

21:38 that sound effect is suspiciously feeble, like somebody just played a stream of air from an inner tube over their hand near a microphone.

[@andrewpaterson5192]

I sure hope that polystyrene bubbles are no longer in the tool kit. It may be worse than the oil.

[@mikegallant811]

Basically that's what they used back then.

[@paulgrimm7842]

How did the diver get killed?

[@bryanlecuyer3826]

does anyone know the song title at 22:10?

[@CARLIN4737]

Brave men

[@seanogallchoir3237]

The people working were not wearing hard hats, floatation devices, these were available, why were they not being used by the Salvage company employees?

[@andykendall5171]

This was before health and safety went mad as hatters!

[@CorkBouldering]

They didn't mention diver who died during the operation, no safety helmets can you imagine that today.

[@MrThewhip333]

Seems to be a Dutch specialty even today no? Just from programs I’ve watched, I have no firsthand knowledge

[@computerwizkid1002]

What of the crew? Dead?

[@neptunenavalmods4420]

Yes, no survivors. 50 dead, plus one man dead during this salvage operation.

[@motocyco1331]

What happened to the super structure?

[@PieAndChips]

Blown to kindgom come by the explosion. Look how twisted and deformed her hull is, what a mess.

[@jamesberlo4298]

Jeremy H. It was pretty much destroyed by the Explosion & Fire. The Stern was sticking up like the Bow for over 12 hours , and had the worst exposure. the second Explosion was the worst and happened right in front of the Deck House and was much stronger than you usually get from Oil, ( one Ton objects were found half a mile away !)It was a 5 story Superstructure with a Pair of tall Stacks, ( at 3:41 you can see the Twin Stack tip peeking out) the whole Superstructure was pushed backwards and almost flattened from the constant immersion in flaming Oil(look what it did to the Stern all warped , puckered & split !) the Stacks were still standing when it sunk. most of it was removed by a Crane . cutting in sections and with a Clamshell / digging Bucket on a Barge , and it damaged the side of the Hull (you can see the starboard side all ripped up) like 23 Bodies were not found its believed they were in the Superstructure and some burned to death by flaming oil bashing through all the Windows & Door and went down to the Engine Room (you can see the Valve spring Covers are melted) I'm sure they found some remains, but they were all crumpled dispersed Bones. many were trapped because it was surrounded by fire. Some of the Crew got out of Bed and got dressed after the first Explosion and were not injured by the Explosion or Fire, but they drowned, It was over a 100 foot drop from the rear of the Stern with it raised up at an angle, and it was the dead of Winter, also it was over a quarter of a mile to the Shore, it was calm but so cold. none of them grabbed a life preserver or Jacket. there was no way off the Pier for the Irish Dock Crew, they were all Killed.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Well answered. Thank you.

[@damienhill6383]

@Mr.M Incorrect unloading I believe, too much stress led to a fracture and spark ..

[@g.r.4853]

The size and scope of this operation is mind boggling. I wonder what the total cost was in USD.

[@markblix6880]

Back in 1979 the cost was $50 mil. The liability cost was $120 mil.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

In a way, I feel the polystyrene floating was Mythbusters ping pong salvage proven well before they were a thing. I get now that we realize the potential environmental impacts of it but at the same time they used what they had available and did a dang good job of it too.

[@Del-Canada]

Fifty people died. Only 27 bodies were recovered. A further fatality occurred during the salvage operation with the loss of a Dutch diver, Karen Jaap Pols. These salvage divers are pretty brave people. They'll tell you it's just their job, but there is much more to it than that. I have done some dangerous jobs in my life and wanted to be a salvage diver but never got around to it. I am a certified navy diver though. Rest in peace every life lost in this disaster.

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

For what country are you a certified naval diver?

[@Del-Canada]

RCN. FDU. Canada. @@garlandremingtoniii1338

[@Del-Canada]

@@garlandremingtoniii1338 I miss it. It's been 35 years since I have gotten wet.

[@akula9713]

Operating lathes with no safety glasses? Spray painting with no mask? 😂 You’d get a warning in our yard for that back in the 70s! But I guess it was just for the cameras?

[@khadijagwen]

I wonder how this compares with the Costa Concordia? Still, very impressive and in very cold water.

[@yank-tc8bz]

Amazing what man can do.

[@raymomull2258]

Man was responsible for the disaster & over 50 deaths.

[@mikegallant811]

​@@raymomull2258well let's face it, the motor tanker Betelgeuse had gotten to be kind of a rust bucket back then, also she did not possess a loadicator, not to mention an inert gas system to purge the explosive vapors from the tanks.... Hell's bells I'm surprised that she even safely left Ras Tanura to begin with!

[@jeroenverhagen6155]

Man man wat een knap staaltje werk

[@the_grand_tourer]

Very little talk of the huge job the divers will have done on this, and often the case with many salvage videos ... they need much more credit. I do like the scant use of PPE !! maybe one hard hat ?

[@firefox5926]

i love that music at the end :) i wish i knew what ... well even to call it like what genre is that

[@brentbarnhart5827]

1970's didn't you see Charlie's Angels start at the end?

[@johnmay6090]

Good doco.

[@Pianoguy32]

oil and polysystrene

[@shortfatguy1]

Cool video

[@TheKilroyman]

41 years ago today.....geez.

[@andrenct5820]

I LOVE SALVAGE JOB From PT TOSAN RAJAWALI KEMALA, Marine Salvage & Wreck Removal, Company From Indonesia. Regard, Andre Setiawan van Kempen.

[@efnissien]

The force of the blast that ripped through the ship is evident from the twisted handrails in the engine room. Anyone there would have died instantly.

[@jamesberlo4298]

Wow that's deep at the pier, 130 feet ! you can see just the very tops of the Smoke Stacks peeping out.