Lecture by ir Tom Verhoeff (ex Smit-International)

On 12 August 2000, world news was that the Kursk had sunk. After much doubt from Putin after - an earlier attempt - Van Seumeren was approached to come to Russia in secret.

Mammoet became main contractor, did the lifting with their famous hydraulic hand over lifting system. A total of 26 ''lifting points''. So the Kursk (minus 20m bow) was lifted against the bottom of the Smit barge and pulled into the saddles placed there. So there was ''lifting through the barge''. The 20m bow section is still on the bottom.

We strongly recommend watching Raising the Kursk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQJ6IMREvz8. in advance and possibly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI5X6SSlxBM. Tom's lecture deals mainly with the technical aspects of the operation.

Smit was a subcontractor to Mammoet and did the ''wet part'':

  • preparing the Smit barge from which to cut. This Was done at the shipyard in Amsterdam.
  • delivering the DSV (Dynamic Support Vessel, working vessel that can stay in place without anchors, including the onboard diving system (saturation).
  • from this vessel, divers working on/in the Kursk prepared the lifting.
  • sawing through the bow (front 20 m) where the explosion had been.
  • after the lifting, Smit towed the barge with the Kursk underneath to the Russian yard and docked there with the Russians.

That sawing used to be done by passing an anchor chain (so-called 4-inch chain, link size approx. 1m ) under the ship and using the hoists of a derrick to pull that chain back and forth. Speed approx 1m/min. The chain did not saw/slash, but was forced through the wreckage with great force and shock. This was very stressful for the hoisting gear (motors, gearboxes, and bearings).

Tom Verhoeff took the initiative in about 1997 to start sawing in an entirely new way. A Smit project group was formed with experts from various disciplines. With the aim: saw through a ship/wreck under or above water. At the time of the Kursk disaster, Smit had a working shipsaw ready.

Drinks start at 18:00 and the meal follows punctually at 19:00, after which the lecture can start at 20:00. End around 22:00.

Further information, or to register, can be sent to: kringrotterdam@kivi.nl

Please note that a payment link to pay the participation fee for members will be sent in advance.