WILLEMSTAD - Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK) and the Royal Netherlands Navy have entered into a partnership to remove raft 129, a large raft of 30 by 8 meters with a weight of 80 tons, located in the waters at Jetty 11 next to the refinery, from the water. Both RdK and the Royal Netherlands Navy have benefitted from this. The object poses a danger to port traffic and RdK was looking for a way to remove the raft from the water. The Defense Diving Group Royal Netherlands Navy saw the situation as a unique opportunity to conduct an exercise under realistic conditions and with the necessary challenges. This year, the team carried out underwater work for two weeks to dismantle the object. The intention is that the team of the Royal Netherlands Navy will return next year to remove the object from the water.
The Dive en Domenteer team of the Royal Navy carries out exercises outside the Netherlands for between 8 and 9 weeks each year. This involves a team of about 8 people who perform specialist diving activities, especially during calamities. This specific project focuses on the dismantling and landing of equipment. Despite the extensive preparation, during the implementation of the project, it became apparent that the work presented some challenges.
Nevertheless, the team can look back on a successful training in which a large part of the work has been completed. In this way, the Royal Netherlands Navy has been able to contribute to safety in the port of Curaçao.
Vlot 129 is owned by RdK. The raft sank at Jetty 9 several years ago during repair work. At the time the RdK managed to get it up and transport it to Jetty 11. However, despite frantic efforts, it was not possible to get the raft out of the water at Jetty 11 due to the weight of the raft and the distance from which they tried to get it out of the water. For years, the raft stayed at the bottom of the water at Jetty 11, and was well marked to prevent potential incidents. Last year, the Navy approached RdK with the proposal that they could dismantle the raft and remove it from the water. This, entirely at the expense of the Royal Navy, as part of their exercise. RdK accepted the offer and that is how the project came about.
The management of RdK is grateful to the team of the Royal Netherlands Navy for the great cooperation and for carrying out these activities that contribute to increasing safety in Curaçao’s port.
