Sea Dogs Marine Services Pvt Ltd
Heavy-Duty Recovery in Kandla Channel – MV Ripley Pioneer
MV Ripley Pioneer
Project Location: Kandla Channel
Scope: Underwater Recovery of Lost Anchor & Chain Cable
Depth: 14 meters
Recovered: 8-ton Anchor + 300 meters of 74mm Chain Cable (42 tons)
The Challenge
During routine anchoring operations in the busy Kandla Channel, the MV Ripley Pioneer lost a massive
8-ton anchor along with 300 meters of 74mm chain cable—together weighing an incredible 50 tons.
The loss posed a navigation hazard in a critical shipping lane and required an urgent and expertly executed recovery operation. With silty seabed
conditions and limited underwater visibility at 14 meters depth, precision and planning were paramount.
Our Response
SeaDogs Pvt. Ltd. was deployed to locate and recover the anchor and chain without disturbing vessel traffic or compromising safety.
Our recovery strategy included:
- Underwater search operations using sonar and diver-based pattern searches
- Mapping and securing the 300-meter-long chain, buried partially under sediment
- Use of high-capacity rigging equipment to handle the combined weight and tension
- Coordination with port authorities to ensure safe lifting without disrupting channel operations
A team of professional commercial divers carried out the entire operation under strict safety protocols, using hydraulic tools and subsea rigging to manage
the enormous weight across the seabed.
The Result
We successfully recovered the entire anchor and chain cable assembly, clearing the area of obstruction and returning the valuable equipment to the vessel.
The operation stands out not just for the scale of the recovery (50 tons) but for the seamless execution in one of India’s busiest waterways.
The Challenge
During routine anchoring operations in the busy Kandla Channel, the MV Ripley Pioneer lost a massive 8-ton anchor along with 300 meters of 74mm chain cable—together weighing an incredible 50 tons.
The loss posed a navigation hazard in a critical shipping lane and required an urgent and expertly executed recovery operation. With silty seabed conditions and limited underwater visibility at 14 meters depth, precision and planning were paramount.
Our Response
SeaDogs Pvt. Ltd. was deployed to locate and recover the anchor and chain without disturbing vessel traffic or compromising safety.
Our recovery strategy included:
- Underwater search operations using sonar and diver-based pattern searches
- Mapping and securing the 300-meter-long chain, buried partially under sediment
- Use of high-capacity rigging equipment to handle the combined weight and tension
- Coordination with port authorities to ensure safe lifting without disrupting channel operations
A team of professional commercial divers carried out the entire operation under strict safety protocols, using hydraulic tools and subsea rigging to manage the enormous weight across the seabed.
The Result
We successfully recovered the entire anchor and chain cable assembly, clearing the area of obstruction and returning the valuable equipment to the vessel.
The operation stands out not just for the scale of the recovery (50 tons) but for the seamless execution in one of India’s busiest waterways.