Survey first, then dive
Anchor And Anchor Chain Recovery On The River Scheldt
An inland vessel lost her complete anchor and anchor chain in bad weather on the River Scheldt. A hydrographic survey located the system on the riverbed and it was recovered, inspected and reinstalled within a single day.
- Location
- River Scheldt, Belgium
- Operating company
- Antwerp Underwater Salvage
- Discipline
- Salvage And Emergency Response
- Client
- Withheld
15–16 h
Survey to reinstallation
1
Complete anchor and chain recovered
0
Replacement equipment purchased
The operation
How the job ran
Chapter
An anchor gone and a navigation hazard
After severe weather on the River Scheldt, an inland navigation vessel lost her complete anchor and anchor chain while underway.
Beyond the financial loss, the anchor sitting somewhere on the riverbed was a potential hazard to navigation. It had to be found and lifted quickly and we were mobilised to do both.
Chapter
Finding it before putting a diver in
The Scheldt runs with strong tidal currents and very limited underwater visibility. Searching that riverbed by diver would have been slow and, more importantly, unsafe.
So the job started dry: a dedicated survey vessel ran a hydrographic survey over the area. Analysis of the data pinned down the exact position of both the anchor and the chain before anyone entered the water.
Chapter
Crane barge, slack water, certified rigging
With the position confirmed, a crane barge and a commercial diving team were mobilised. The waterway authorities were notified and a safe working area established around the barge.
Divers descended to the riverbed and rigged certified lifting equipment to the anchor and to the chain. The crane barge then recovered the complete system onto deck.
Chapter
Reinstalled and back underway
After inspection, the recovered anchor and chain were reinstalled on board the inland vessel.
She resumed her voyage with her original anchoring system in place, with no need to source replacement gear.
Scope
Scope of work executed
- Hydrographic survey of the search area
- Position analysis of the anchor and chain
- Notifications to the waterway authorities and working area set-up
- Diver rigging of certified lifting equipment
- Crane barge recovery of the complete anchor system
- Inspection and reinstallation on board the vessel
Execution
Equipment, safety and reporting
Equipment deployed
- Survey vessel with hydrographic survey equipment
- Crane barge with certified lifting gear
- Surface-supplied diving spread with video and communications
- Certified slings, shackles and rigging
Safety measures
- Notifications to and clearance from the waterway authorities
- Established working area and traffic management on the river
- Diving restricted to workable tidal windows
- Certified lifting equipment with valid documentation
Reporting delivered
- Hydrographic survey data and target position report
- Rigging and lifting method statement
- Recovery operation log
- Condition and reinstallation record for the anchor and chain
Outcome
Result
The whole operation, from survey to reinstallation, was completed in less than a day. Downtime was kept to a minimum, no replacement equipment had to be bought and the vessel resumed her voyage with her original anchoring system fully restored.
Documentation
Operational photography
Related
Next steps
Capability
Salvage & Emergency Response
Casualty assistance, refloating, recovery of objects and wreck removal, coordinated with owners, authorities and insurers. Salvage expertise, deployed where the operation demands it, across Belgian, Benelux and wider European waters.
Belgium
Antwerp Underwater Salvage
Marine construction, repair and vessel services
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