USS MISSISSINEWA (AO 59) Oil Offloading Operations

Ulithi Atoll, FSMFebruary 2003

NAVSEA SUPSALV MissionNAVSEA SUPSALV Mission

Responsible for technical support to Fleet in areas of:Responsible for technical support to Fleet in areas of:

• Marine SalvageMarine Salvage

• DivingDiving

• Underwater Search & RecoveryUnderwater Search & Recovery

• Offshore Oil Spill ResponseOffshore Oil Spill Response

• Underwater Ship HusbandryUnderwater Ship Husbandry

Maintains salvage contracts to augment Fleet capabilityMaintains salvage contracts to augment Fleet capability

Maintains ESSM System (pre-positioned emergency Maintains ESSM System (pre-positioned emergency ship salvage and pollution response material)ship salvage and pollution response material)

ESSM Gear in ESSM Gear in actionaction

• November 20, 1944

• 63 U.S. personnel lost

• 3,780,000 gallons of oil on board at sinking

• Sunk in 130 feet

Sinking of the Mississinewa

Ulithi Atoll

USS Mississinewa at Ulithi AtollUSS Mississinewa at Ulithi AtollYap State, Federated States of MicronesiaYap State, Federated States of Micronesia

Recent History

• Wreck located April 2001Wreck located April 2001

• Oil reported leaking, August 2001 YAP, FSM & USCG / Oil reported leaking, August 2001 YAP, FSM & USCG / NOAA SurveyNOAA Survey

• First Navy Response – Patch & Pump (Aug 2001)First Navy Response – Patch & Pump (Aug 2001)

• Second Leak & Response (Dec-Jan 2001)Second Leak & Response (Dec-Jan 2001)

Need for Additional Response Need for Additional Response (Offloading)(Offloading)

• Risk of Continued Intermittent Oil LeaksRisk of Continued Intermittent Oil Leaks• Risk of Future Catastrophic Oil ReleaseRisk of Future Catastrophic Oil Release

• Wreck’s 22 tanks contained estimated 2.8 M gallons of oilWreck’s 22 tanks contained estimated 2.8 M gallons of oil

• Proximity to Pristine Subsistence Fishing GroundsProximity to Pristine Subsistence Fishing Grounds• Sea Turtles, Marine Birds, Intertidal and Subtidal HabitatsSea Turtles, Marine Birds, Intertidal and Subtidal Habitats

Offloading Plan • Oil Removal - Through the hull – “Hot Tap” Equipment

• Surface-supplied (air) Diving

• Proven Tools and Equipment

• Aggressive Search for Oil

• Personnel Safety

• Environmental Safety

Hot Tap SystemHot Tap System

Logistics – Getting to the siteLogistics – Getting to the site

Operational Criteria

• Independent vessel-based operation (no facilities ashore)

• Need to remain on-station until completion • Minimize pollution risk• Remove all pumpable oil in accessible tanks• Proper disposal of oil and all wastes

Pumping Arrangement – Option One

““Donut Pump”Donut Pump”

Sampling & Monitoring Station

Manifold

Hot Tap Valves

Resources• Vessels

• USS Salvor (ARS 52) – Navy diving support platform

• Primary support barge & tug

• Additional barge and tug

• Personnel – Salvor, MDSU, EODMU, SUPSALV & contractors

• Equipment - supplied by ESSM (hot taps, pumps, etc.)

• Diving - surface-supplied; recompression chamber; communications (Salvor, MDSU, & EOD MU 5)

• Pollution response equipment (ESSM)

Response Vessel - Barge Fels 20 loaded with ESSM salvage and oil recovery gear

Oil Spill Mitigation

• Spill Response Plan

• Containment

• Oil Recovery

• Dispersant Plan

• Wildlife Plan

• Storage & Disposal

V-Boom Skimming System

Dispersant Spray System

Dispersant PackageDispersant Package

Installing the 6-point moorInstalling the 6-point moor

Vessels Operational ConfigurationVessels Operational Configuration

Diver training to use Hot-Tap Diver training to use Hot-Tap pumping system - Honolulupumping system - Honolulu

Divers topside – Ulithi during operationDivers topside – Ulithi during operation

Underwater Underwater OperationsOperations

Pumps

Pumping Operations

• Installed 20 Hot Taps & Secured with Caps after Pumping

• Cut Access into Two Tanks for Internal Tank Access (& Secured)

• Removed All Accessible Oil from 21 Tanks, Engine Room, Pump Removed All Accessible Oil from 21 Tanks, Engine Room, Pump Room, and Previously-Leaking PipingRoom, and Previously-Leaking Piping

• Transferred Approximately 1.95 Million Gallons of Oil from Transferred Approximately 1.95 Million Gallons of Oil from Mississinewa to Barge, including approximately 7% Free WaterMississinewa to Barge, including approximately 7% Free Water

• Successfully completed ahead of scheduleSuccessfully completed ahead of schedule

• Est. less than Est. less than 5 gallons5 gallons of Oil Released – No Environmental Impact of Oil Released – No Environmental Impact

• Mississinewa Oil to be Sold in Singapore and RecycledMississinewa Oil to be Sold in Singapore and Recycled

Operational SummaryOperational Summary