Miko Marine Starts Work On European Shiparrestor Project

Dec. 18, 2008 - PRLog -- The two year project is aimed at developing a technique that can enable a tow line to be attached to an unmanned vessel and used to reduce the drift of ships that have experienced a loss of power. It is believed that this will reduce their chances of grounding and the pollution that this can cause.

Miko Marine holds the patent for the ShipArrestor principle which is designed to enable a conventional Search and Rescue helicopter to deploy a tow line around the winch gear on the foredeck of an abandoned vessel. The helicopter then lays the line upwind and releases it attached to a sea anchor. The effect upon the ship will be almost immediate so that it is turned into the wind with its drift speed reduced by 50 per cent. This could be a vital factor in the ship’s survival by creating more time for the distressed vessel to be reached by rescue tugs before grounding. On arrival at the scene, the tug can pick-up the the sea anchor and ShipArrestor line and effect a rescue. If a ship is already drifting close in-shore, the use of a sea anchor may not be appropriate in which case the helicopter may deliver the line directly to the first available rescue tug. A more detailed description of the principle can be viewed at www.shiparrestor.com.

          Although the concept is known to work in principle, there are numerous technical and logistical issues to be resolved. For this reason a consortium of eight European organisations has been created that includes companies from Norway, France, Germany, Netherlands and Austria as well as the Norwegian Institute of Technology and the UK’s Ship Stability Research Centre. By applying their individual expertise to the challenge, it is hoped that it will be possible to develop a technique that will reduce the likelihood of groundings and the pollution that can result from them.

           The concept of the sea anchor is already well known to seafarers but, until now, its use has been restricted to smaller vessels. Part of the project will include the mathematical modelling needed to identify the size of sea anchors needed for ships of different tonnages. This will impact upon the sea anchor’s weight and its ability to be carried by helicopter. Similar constraints apply to the tow line which must be strong and also capable of resisting abrasion against the ship’s winch and gunwhale. Although chain is the first choice, its weight creates transportation problems so an important part of the project will be to research alternative materials.

           It is hoped that the research will also enable the design of sea anchors that can be permanently carried aboard ships for emergency use. The  loss in October of a jack-up platform from a heavy lift vessel that lost power in mid-Atlantic is being given as a typical example of the dangers arising from excessive roll when a ship is unable to turn into the wind.  

           The backing that the project is now receiving from the European Union is being seen as a clear indication of its potential value to the community and to the safety of seafarers. Although numerous difficult questions remain to be answered, Miko Marine is also hoping that anyone with relevant expertise or experience will be willing to come forward and contribute towards the project so that a successful outcome is achieved.



-ENDS-



Commercial enquiries contact:

Nicolai Michelsen, general manager

Miko Marine AS  

Ruseløkkveien 26  

PO Box 1534 -Vika  

N - 0117 Oslo

Norway

Tel  + 47 46 90 50 00  Fax + 47 22 83 65 15  Mob + 47 911 70 452

email: info@miko.no     website:  www.miko.no