The Suez Blockage...

I did this but it wasn't so much the Suez Canal but Whixall Moss Canal.

I was sub worker for a piling out fit and the only way we could get the steel up the canal was by a barge. Before setting off I was told that the rudder was slightly bent and that it was difficult to control. Off we set in our open barge fully loaded and you couldn't have fired a dart as straight as the course I plotted. We offloaded the steel and due to that part of the canal being narrow, we had to return the barge immediately and I was given the job due to doing so well on the outward journey. Off we set again and I was causing mayhem on the canal hitting one bank and then the other. I was getting screamed at by other boat owners to stop and let them past and to the delight of amused walkers, I ended up stuck across the canal similar to this cargo ship. I had to get a JCB either side of the canal to push at the stern and forecastle to free me.

Needless to say someone else took over the helm after that.
 
Blf said:
Can't they send some ships down each end, unload some of the containers until its light enough to float higher on the water and pull it out.
How do I claim my percentage of the salvage once they have seen this idea..
Click to expand...
Send in the RAF Chinooks. Job done!
 
I've been through the Suez various times when I served in the Navy. Usually on route to the Gulf.

It's almost unfathomable as to how its happened. The amount of ships that transit daily and all the expertise to get you through. It's not a simple case of driving (sailing) in a straight line. I very much doubt its the captains fault. You embark 'pilots' prior to going through who are Suez experts.

The whole procedure is faultless. I remember being at anchor for hours waiting for a slot to go through. That said defo don't miss being at 'specials' up all night on the uppereck incase you have to drop the anchor.

I imagine unloading is fraught with danger. Its an art form loading a ship. Just one wrong contantainer moved from the wrong side will cause it to tip (plenty of video on YouTube of this happing). A ship is such a balanced piece of machinery that it doesn't take much to flip one over if the weight isn't evenly distributed. It's all to do with water dispacment etc.

I did learn somethings in the Navy. Although not of it relivent in the Civilian world😂

I imagine this is an absolute nightmare financially. It will he costing millions in trade and all the ships backing up at anchor.
 
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