During a
recent cyclone off the coast of Queensland, Australia, 31 containers carrying
toxic substances were lost from a Merchant Vessel. Thanks to Saab’s Double
Eagle the majority have been found.
A 185 metre
container ship, Pacific Adventurer, was en route from Newcastle to Indonesia
via Brisbane when it lost 31 containers during Cyclone Hamish about seven
nautical miles to the east of Cape Moreton. The dislodged containers caused
damage to the ship and resulted in the loss of heavy fuel oil. The containers
were also carrying other toxic substances that could affect the fragile
ecosystem and wildlife in Queensland, Australia.
Two of the
Royal Australian Navy’s Huon Class Mine Hunters participated in the Maritime
Safety operation, helping the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to confirm
the location of the lost containers. The two Mine Hunters were tasked with
locating and marking the positions of the containers and capturing video
footage to determine their condition. Despite the difficult weather conditions,
a small window of opportunity allowed the Mine Hunter HMAS Yarra to deploy a
Mine Disposal Vehicle - Saab's Double Eagle - into the water last Wednesday, 25
March 2009.
The Double
Eagle successfully identified 22 containers at a depth of more than 125 meters.
The containers are lying close together on the seabed, secured in groups of two
and three, and are in varying conditions. The ships have marked the confirmed
positions using a highly accurate navigation system and will provide the
information to Maritime Safety Queensland, the agency coordinating salvage
effort. Two more containers were found on March 26 and the search is now
continuing for the seven containers still missing.
The
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) used for this operation is called the Double
Eagle, which was developed by Saab Underwater Systems. It is equipped with a
searchlight, closed-circuit low light television camera and on-board close
range identification sonar. Normally, it is used as a Mine Disposal Vehicle but
in this operation, it took on an identification role, which underscores the
great dual use capability of the Double Eagle System.
Container images taken by the Double Eagle ROV at a depth of 125 meters. Photo credit: Australian Government, Department of Defence.
The lost containers were positively identified by the ships’ Double Eagle, a Mine Disposal Vehicle, on the seabed not far from where the containers were reported lost. Photo credit: Australian Government, Department of Defence.
