Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, a weakened but still powerful Hurricane Rita altered its course to threaten residents in Louisiana and Texas. Rita was the fifth major hurricane in the U.S.A. of that season.
SMIT Salvage was contracted to provide assistance for two jack-up rigs ‘Adriatic VII' and ‘High Island III'. The rigs broke of their legs. Both rigs were positioned in East Cameron, Louisiana. 'Adriatic VII'
The ‘Adriatic VII' went into the water and the drilling derrick, rig floor package and helideck came off. The platform drifted approximately 118 NM of her original position and she is now 1.3 NM off the beach. In June 2007 'Taklift 1' and 'Smit Cyclone' removed one of the three legs of the 'Adriatic VII'. Currenty preparations are made for the removal of the second leg, after which the last one follows. 'High Island III'
Massive damage was found to the drilling tower of the ‘High Island III'. The pontoon, with the remaining leg protruded from the leg wells, was sitting aground in a self created trench on the bottom of the sea. In October 2006 the legs of the High Island III' were removed. Moreover the workscope for both projects was: offload fuel oil and drilling mud, ballast the platforms down, cut off remaining portions of the legs, connect tugs, de-ballast and refloat the platforms. 'High Island II'
On 4 November 2006 a salvage team started to work on jack up rig 'High Island II'. This jack up rig is positioned in the South Marsh Island Area, Louisiana. Our salvage team rightened the 'High Island II' by means of a pull barge.
