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An underwater condition survey was realized for the barge located in the anchorage area in Kartal between 27th and 29th of November. Rotating and then, refloatation operations of the capsized barge was given to ARAS with the signed contract on 16th of December. In this regard, following operations were carried out after obtaining required permissions:
§ The barge was towed to DSI Facility in Bayramoğlu-Tuzla and located approximately 1200 m off shore where the bathymetric map of the area had been prepared before and found the depth appropriate for rotation operation.
§ Air tightness of all tanks was provided by performing necessary repairs by our divers.
§ Totally 480 separate air inlet and water outlet valves were assembled to all tanks.
§ As two lines of starboard side tanks of the barge from end to end were left filled with water, the water in the remaining tanks was discharged by air pumping. Thus, the raking over starboard side was accomplished.
§ Ground tackle system was constructed for rotating the barge on shore.
§ 8 powerful eyebolts were assembled to the middle part of the portside of the capsized barge in definite distances in order to connect ground tackle on shore.
§ Because there was no information and document about weight of the upper structure of the barge, the barge was tried to be rotated three times using the rotation systems designed with estimated values. In the end, it was understood that the barge could not be rotated without the removal of upper structure and the upper structure was cut by our divers.
§ Afterwards, the barge was pulled again by the ground tackle system on shore and the barge was straightened in a position leaving the starboard side underwater. Hence, the tanks left full of water was started to be discharged by pumping air and the barge was refloated by accomplishing the rotation operation.
§ The water remained in the tanks was discharged by pumping and the barge was made stable. Then, the barge was towed to DLH Tuzla Facility by our tugboat Pehlivan-2 and consigned.
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