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Many favorable factors have helped rescue the Ever Given super cargo ship after nearly 1 week stuck – Photo: NBC News
On April 3, the head of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Osama Rabie said that the 422 stranded ships had passed safely through the Suez Canal, ending congestion, days after the Ever Given supercarrier was rescued on March 29.
Channels NBC News Days 3-4 have been posted providing a closer look at the rescue operation of this 400 meter long ship in about a week.
The image is opened from the perspective of Eslam Negm, an Egyptian sailor aboard the Baraka 1 tugboat on a rescue mission. Last week, he received a call from the manager, asking for help in rescuing the ship Ever Given, which was blocked in the channel at 23-3 as it headed from Asia to the Netherlands.
For Negm and hundreds of other employees, the Ever Given rescue mission is an unforgettable story for them. It is a job that depends on many factors, from hard work to new technology and ultimately the Moon.
Local tug workers, engineers and commanders spent sleepless nights and hungry days to help the ship float back to the surface.
They work hard not only because the Suez Canal is a national pride and an important shipping route, but also because it provides income and job security that are vital to thousands of Egyptians. “We live on the canal” – said Mr. Negm, 32 years old.
The Ever Given was rescued on March 29, after nearly a week of blocking the Suez Canal – Video: NBC News
When the initial rescue effort failed, these Egyptians welcomed teams of experienced international experts and powerful tools to help save the 220,000-ton ship.
SCA was the leader, while Smit Salvage, a Dutch company specializing in rescue operations, acted as project manager, guiding the fleet of tugs, dredgers and excavators.
Mr. Negm and hundreds of others worked continuously. The tug Mr. Negm works on is connected to the bow of the Ever Given by cable. Meanwhile, the dredging boats are working to dredge at least 27,000 m.3 sand.
Frustration sometimes increased with 20 members pulling Baraka 1, when the Ever Given ship is still not moving.
The rescue work was not only difficult but also dangerous for those working under the large shadow of the ship. “We are working under something the size of a 10-story building that could fall on us,” said Aly Awamy, a mechanic at the Mashhour dredge.
Members of tugboat Baraka 1 take a picture together – Photo: NBC News / Mahmoud Shalabi
The Ever Given incident caused at least $ 9 billion in goods to become congested here every day. During a press conference this week, SCA President Osama Rabie said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called channel officials three times a day.
Gradually, the rescue effort became an international story, as various parties provided assistance. The ship made its first move on the night of March 26, but bad weather made the rescue unsuccessful. The bow is still stuck in sand and mud.
Negm said that a “new generation” Dutch tugboat, with twice the traction of the Baraka 1, came to support on March 28. This tugboat played an important role in the successful rescue of the ship.
On March 29, the most favorable things came together. Human efforts, modern equipment, and especially high tide (which are beyond human control) have allowed the ship to float on water. Floating only partially in the morning, the ship finally surfaced fully at 3pm the same day, allowing the channel to clear that night.
Bahaa Ramadan, an engineer, said that many villagers thought the rescue was “a miracle” after witnessing the ship beached.
Now that the canal is completely clear, the cause of the incident is still being investigated. Preliminary reports suggest that high winds and poor visibility due to sandstorms are causing the ship to swerve and stall.
422 trapped boats passed, the Suez Canal was completely cleared
