In order to enhance emergency response capability and review the implementation of AtoN contingency plan, Ningbo AtoN Division of Shanghai MSA organized an exercise on installation of emergency wreck marking buoys (EWMB) on Feb 3rd, 2010.
The exercise was initiated at 9 a.m. when a ship sank in the vicinity of Guafujiao Light Beacon (29°59′47.5″N, 122°02′54.8″E) in the Dinghai Port, which posed a potential threat to navigational safety of ships sailing along the “Yabai” route of Zhoushan. The installation of an EWMB was necessary. Receiving the report, Ningbo AtoN Division immediately undertook a series of activities. According to available information about the sunken ship and the accident, maintenance staff prepared corresponding sinker, mooring chain, buoy and shackles to be loaded onto buoy tender “Haibiao 1045”, which technicians had already boarded with pre-controlled lantern and repair staff. At 9.30 a.m., buoy tender “Haibiao 1045” set sail for the accident site. During this period, technicians assembled the lantern, crewmen connected and laid the chains, and crane operator lifted the assembled light buoy and sinker to the right position. At 10.10 a.m., the buoy tender arrived at the site. Based on high accuracy positioning, the cable was cut off at 10.20 a.m. and the sinker sank to the designated position. With the mooring cable unfastened, the EWMB was successfully installed.
At 10.40 a.m., the exercise was completed successfully when buoy tender “Haibiao 1045” returned with retrieved the buoy and sinker. Thanks to full cooperation and appropriate command, the exercise checked the emergent installation capability of buoy tender “Haibiao 1045” to ensure that all accidents can be properly responded during the Spring Festival period.