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USS MISSISSINEWA (AO 59) Oil Offloading Operations Ulithi Atoll, FSM February 2003

Explore the salvage and offloading mission of the USS Mississinewa, involving oil spill response, diving, and underwater operations. Learn about the successful removal of millions of gallons of oil, ensuring environmental safety and minimizing pollution risks.

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USS MISSISSINEWA (AO 59) Oil Offloading Operations Ulithi Atoll, FSM February 2003

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  1. USS MISSISSINEWA (AO 59) Oil Offloading Operations Ulithi Atoll, FSMFebruary 2003

  2. NAVSEA SUPSALV Mission • Responsible for technical support to Fleet in areas of: • Marine Salvage • Diving • Underwater Search & Recovery • Offshore Oil Spill Response • Underwater Ship Husbandry • Maintains salvage contracts to augment Fleet capability • Maintains ESSM System (pre-positioned emergency ship salvage and pollution response material)

  3. ESSM Gear in action

  4. Sinking of the Mississinewa • November 20, 1944 • 63 U.S. personnel lost • 3,780,000 gallons of oil on board at sinking • Sunk in 130 feet

  5. USS Mississinewa at Ulithi Atoll Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia Ulithi Atoll

  6. Recent History • Wreck located April 2001 • Oil reported leaking, August 2001 YAP, FSM & USCG / NOAA Survey • First Navy Response – Patch & Pump (Aug 2001) • Second Leak & Response (Dec-Jan 2001)

  7. Need for Additional Response (Offloading) • Risk of Continued Intermittent Oil Leaks • Risk of Future Catastrophic Oil Release • Wreck’s 22 tanks contained estimated 2.8 M gallons of oil • Proximity to Pristine Subsistence Fishing Grounds • Sea Turtles, Marine Birds, Intertidal and Subtidal Habitats

  8. 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 System

  9. Logistics – Getting to the site

  10. 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

  11. Sampling & Monitoring Station “Donut Pump” Hot Tap Valves Manifold Pumping Arrangement – Option One

  12. 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)

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

  14. Oil Spill Mitigation V-Boom Skimming System • Spill Response Plan • Containment • Oil Recovery • Dispersant Plan • Wildlife Plan • Storage & Disposal Dispersant Spray System Dispersant Package

  15. Installing the 6-point moor

  16. Vessels Operational Configuration

  17. Diver training to use Hot-Tap pumping system - Honolulu Divers topside – Ulithi during operation

  18. Underwater Operations

  19. Pumps

  20. Pumping Operations

  21. Operational Summary • 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 Room, and Previously-Leaking Piping • Transferred Approximately 1.95 Million Gallons of Oil from Mississinewa to Barge, including approximately 7% Free Water • Successfully completed ahead of schedule • Est. less than 5 gallons of Oil Released – No Environmental Impact • Mississinewa Oil to be Sold in Singapore and Recycled

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