October 2000, the USS Cole was attacked by suspected terrorist group Al-Qaeda. A 40 foot by 40 foot hole was blasted into the portside, killing 17 U.S Sailors.
After a two year long operation, the five hundred and fifty foot long Aegis equipped destroyer returned to its fleet in April 2002.
From my perspective, the logistics involved in between were to say the least an amazing effort.
Owners at the time, Offshore Heavy Transport of Oslo, contracted the heavy lift ship to the Navy to quiet literally carry the wounded destroyer from Yemen back to the United States.
The Norwegian MV Blue Marlin was chosen because it was conveniently located close by in the Persian gulf after dropping a pair of specialized Mine hunting ships from Texas.
The Blue Marlin remains one of the world's largest heavy lift ships. Later on in 2004 it went on to move a 60,000 tonne Oil platform, followed by a massive sea-based X band Radar in 2005.
Once the Norwegian lift ship was selected and dispatched, the race was on for the Navy to work alongside the recovery team to design custom made mounting blocks and gigantic restraining straps to secure the load. When the drawings were complete construction was off sourced to a local Dubai Ship builder; whom installed the components on the Blue Marlin before it left for Yemen.
On Arrival, Blue Marlin opened its Ballast Tanks, submerging the entire deck so that the Aft towers and house were only visible above sea level. Tug boats then maneuvered the USS Cole in a position above the Marlins underwater deck.
Once everything was in place the Ballast tanks were emptied slowly so the deck would rise and meet the hull of the destroyer placing it gently in the custom built mounting blocks. The entire lift procedure took approximately 24 hours.
Like me if you were wondering why the USS Cole was stowed on an Angle, the purpose was to protect the Sonar Dome mounted on the very front of the destroyer’s bow, by letting it overhang the Marlins deck.
The contract cost the Navy US$4.5 Million dollars, a skeleton crew aboard the destroyer remained on board for the long voyage home to the United States.
The Norwegian MV Blue Marlin was chosen because it was conveniently located close by in the Persian gulf after dropping a pair of specialized Mine hunting ships from Texas.
The Blue Marlin remains one of the world's largest heavy lift ships. Later on in 2004 it went on to move a 60,000 tonne Oil platform, followed by a massive sea-based X band Radar in 2005.
Once the Norwegian lift ship was selected and dispatched, the race was on for the Navy to work alongside the recovery team to design custom made mounting blocks and gigantic restraining straps to secure the load. When the drawings were complete construction was off sourced to a local Dubai Ship builder; whom installed the components on the Blue Marlin before it left for Yemen.
On Arrival, Blue Marlin opened its Ballast Tanks, submerging the entire deck so that the Aft towers and house were only visible above sea level. Tug boats then maneuvered the USS Cole in a position above the Marlins underwater deck.
Once everything was in place the Ballast tanks were emptied slowly so the deck would rise and meet the hull of the destroyer placing it gently in the custom built mounting blocks. The entire lift procedure took approximately 24 hours.
Like me if you were wondering why the USS Cole was stowed on an Angle, the purpose was to protect the Sonar Dome mounted on the very front of the destroyer’s bow, by letting it overhang the Marlins deck.
The contract cost the Navy US$4.5 Million dollars, a skeleton crew aboard the destroyer remained on board for the long voyage home to the United States.
One key issue that may draw attention, is the fact the world’s most advanced military force, does not have its own heavy lift ship of this size and capability, could having to outsource internationally pose a problem in the future ?
-Matt
Photo courtesy of US Navy (31 October 2000). NAVSEA [online] dcfp.navy.mil, Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 22 July 2009].
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