How removed from the path of icebergs

In general, keep on oil rigs special duty that would ostlezhivali approximation of huge blocks of ice was not rational. Oil companies prefer to sign contracts with the special courts, which are taken for such security functions. Using radar and satellite data obtained to-date information about all the movements of icebergs in a given area within the IIP (International Ice Patrol - International ice-patrol). If an iceberg is directed toward the tower and the probability of a collision becomes dangerously high, it comes in tow.



Tug walks around the iceberg with pecial very strong polypropylene floating rope and takes it into the loop. The thickness of the tether 20 cm and it easily allows tow almost any size. The most important thing when towing - not to give an iceberg capsize. In this case, a very big wave, which can do much harm to the tug.
One more thing: one towing an iceberg can take up to three days. And all because of his enormous weight prevents tug soon start moving with it. For example, to "disperse" the iceberg to the speed of movement in one unit (1, 85 km / h) average tug takes about 10 hours.
If tow the iceberg is not possible, then at some courts have special water cannons, with which just pushed icebergs, changing the trajectory of their movement. Towed Maersk Placentia similar gun produces thousands of liters of water per minute under tremendous pressure.
On average, each tugboat during the year "work out" 70 to 100 icebergs.



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