1 00:00:05,106 --> 00:00:07,973 Narrator: This is no ordinary ship. 2 00:00:07,975 --> 00:00:11,010 Man: It's one of the biggest in the world. 3 00:00:11,012 --> 00:00:14,380 Narrator: To carry some of the largest sea cargos ever, 4 00:00:14,382 --> 00:00:18,233 it does what most ships are designed to avoid at all costs. 5 00:00:18,235 --> 00:00:21,403 Man: It's really amazing to see something this big 6 00:00:21,405 --> 00:00:24,740 immerse itself almost completely under water 7 00:00:24,742 --> 00:00:28,877 and then come up again, carrying something huge. 8 00:00:28,879 --> 00:00:30,212 Man: It's a bit of a game changer. 9 00:00:30,214 --> 00:00:34,466 It's like kind of a combo cargo ship and submarine. 10 00:00:34,468 --> 00:00:36,435 Narrator: The gpo amethyst 11 00:00:36,437 --> 00:00:39,204 is one of a prestigious superclass of ships 12 00:00:39,206 --> 00:00:42,307 known as semi-submersible heavy lifters. 13 00:00:42,309 --> 00:00:44,410 Man: To be a captain on this vessel 14 00:00:44,412 --> 00:00:46,879 is actually a great honor. 15 00:00:46,881 --> 00:00:48,380 Narrator: From the outside, 16 00:00:48,382 --> 00:00:51,400 it's impossible to see the feats of engineering 17 00:00:51,402 --> 00:00:55,704 that give the amethyst its incredible capability. 18 00:00:55,706 --> 00:00:58,040 Man: So, a lot of factors can go wrong, 19 00:00:58,042 --> 00:01:02,878 and we should be ready for any of these. 20 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:05,380 Narrator: The only way to reveal its secrets 21 00:01:05,382 --> 00:01:08,133 is to take this supership apart 22 00:01:08,135 --> 00:01:10,836 and uncover what's going on inside. 23 00:01:10,838 --> 00:01:17,826 ♪ ♪ 24 00:01:17,828 --> 00:01:24,767 ♪ ♪ 25 00:01:24,769 --> 00:01:31,373 ♪ ♪ 26 00:01:31,375 --> 00:01:35,778 today, the amethyst is en route to the gulf of mexico, 27 00:01:35,780 --> 00:01:37,513 where it will attempt to load up 28 00:01:37,515 --> 00:01:41,567 two giant decommissioned oil rigs bound for oman. 29 00:01:44,405 --> 00:01:48,107 At the helm is captain evgeniy nikityuk, 30 00:01:48,109 --> 00:01:51,043 who's been in the ocean-going heavy-lifting business 31 00:01:51,045 --> 00:01:52,544 for 11 years. 32 00:01:54,648 --> 00:01:58,300 Evgeniy nikityuk: Thousand ten. 33 00:01:58,302 --> 00:02:00,869 Man on radio: London star, london star... 34 00:02:00,871 --> 00:02:04,339 Narrator: The next few days will see his ship tested 35 00:02:04,341 --> 00:02:07,910 not only by some of the biggest cargo on the seas, 36 00:02:07,912 --> 00:02:12,314 but also by weather that pushes them to the brink of disaster. 37 00:02:12,316 --> 00:02:16,635 (thunder) 38 00:02:16,637 --> 00:02:19,004 evgeniy: We got sudden squalls appears, 39 00:02:19,006 --> 00:02:22,007 with wind speed up to 55 knots. 40 00:02:22,009 --> 00:02:24,409 (thunder) 41 00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:31,166 narrator: In recent years, 42 00:02:31,168 --> 00:02:33,969 global industries like oil and gas 43 00:02:33,971 --> 00:02:36,371 have demanded ever-heavier cargos 44 00:02:36,373 --> 00:02:39,341 be transported across the globe. 45 00:02:39,343 --> 00:02:43,145 Single items can weigh up to 50,000 tons, 46 00:02:43,147 --> 00:02:45,681 and that creates a real problem. 47 00:02:45,683 --> 00:02:47,065 Andrew steele: The weights of these things, 48 00:02:47,067 --> 00:02:48,901 it's just absolutely mind-boggling. 49 00:02:48,903 --> 00:02:51,003 Just imagine trying to move that from a to b. 50 00:02:51,005 --> 00:02:53,205 It'd become almost impossible. 51 00:02:53,207 --> 00:02:54,773 Things like road and rail, 52 00:02:54,775 --> 00:02:57,209 you just can't move a modern oil rig like that. 53 00:02:57,211 --> 00:02:59,278 And the old solution of dragging them using tugs 54 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:00,779 just wasn't cutting it. 55 00:03:00,781 --> 00:03:02,648 So, an entirely new approach was needed. 56 00:03:05,402 --> 00:03:07,569 Narrator: The only viable solution 57 00:03:07,571 --> 00:03:11,440 is to transport these exceptional cargos by sea, 58 00:03:11,442 --> 00:03:15,978 but to do that requires an exceptional ship. 59 00:03:15,980 --> 00:03:18,113 Enter the amethyst, 60 00:03:18,115 --> 00:03:21,099 one of heavyweight ocean transportation's 61 00:03:21,101 --> 00:03:23,168 most advanced vessels. 62 00:03:23,170 --> 00:03:25,437 Nick bradbeer: This is a class of huge, heavy-lift ships, 63 00:03:25,439 --> 00:03:28,173 and they're just awesome in scale, they're enormous, 64 00:03:28,175 --> 00:03:29,975 and they can lift things which are so heavy, 65 00:03:29,977 --> 00:03:31,210 you just can't lift and transport them 66 00:03:31,212 --> 00:03:32,778 by any other means. 67 00:03:58,772 --> 00:04:03,642 Narrator: This ship's deck is an incredible 600 feet long 68 00:04:03,644 --> 00:04:06,445 and 158 feet wide. 69 00:04:06,447 --> 00:04:10,265 ♪ ♪ 70 00:04:10,267 --> 00:04:14,970 it's so big that no less than 16 statues of liberty 71 00:04:14,972 --> 00:04:16,505 would fit onto it. 72 00:04:16,507 --> 00:04:21,276 ♪ ♪ 73 00:04:21,278 --> 00:04:26,348 ♪ ♪ 74 00:04:26,350 --> 00:04:28,267 the deck can also accommodate 75 00:04:28,269 --> 00:04:32,170 both of these enormous oil rigs, just. 76 00:04:32,172 --> 00:04:35,907 But they tower over 200 feet above sea level. 77 00:04:38,612 --> 00:04:40,679 Andrew: Imagine trying to move a massive oil rig 78 00:04:40,681 --> 00:04:43,615 weighing tens of thousands of tons, and worse than that, 79 00:04:43,617 --> 00:04:45,167 it's not at all hydrodynamic. 80 00:04:45,169 --> 00:04:47,636 It's not got a beautiful sleek hull like a boat. 81 00:04:47,638 --> 00:04:49,371 It's basically a massive square, 82 00:04:49,373 --> 00:04:52,541 so moving these things had become more or less impossible. 83 00:04:52,543 --> 00:04:55,811 ♪ ♪ 84 00:04:55,813 --> 00:04:56,812 man over radio: Evgeniy. 85 00:04:59,583 --> 00:05:02,267 Narrator: As the amethyst approaches the rigs, 86 00:05:02,269 --> 00:05:07,238 the 26-strong crew prepare the deck for the colossal cargo. 87 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:09,474 Evgeniy: So now they are putting the stagings down 88 00:05:09,476 --> 00:05:11,209 on the main deck. 89 00:05:11,211 --> 00:05:13,412 Narrator: The rigs have a combined weight 90 00:05:13,414 --> 00:05:17,766 of 25,000 tons, 91 00:05:17,768 --> 00:05:23,438 and that presents a fundamental engineering challenge. 92 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:24,873 Danielle george: Now, the most obvious problem 93 00:05:24,875 --> 00:05:28,043 of carrying such heavy cargo on the deck of a ship 94 00:05:28,045 --> 00:05:30,912 is the strength of the deck itself. 95 00:05:30,914 --> 00:05:34,900 ♪ ♪ 96 00:05:34,902 --> 00:05:38,236 amos winter: The amethyst has a very, very, very long deck, 97 00:05:38,238 --> 00:05:40,839 so when it tries to pick up a load, 98 00:05:40,841 --> 00:05:42,207 if the load was very heavy 99 00:05:42,209 --> 00:05:44,009 and just concentrated right in the center of the deck, 100 00:05:44,011 --> 00:05:45,944 it might try to "taco" the whole ship. 101 00:05:45,946 --> 00:05:48,814 The front of the ship would hit the back of the ship. 102 00:05:48,816 --> 00:05:52,567 Narrator: A deck of very thick steel would stop it caving in, 103 00:05:52,569 --> 00:05:56,071 but it would also make the ship far too heavy. 104 00:05:56,073 --> 00:06:00,342 In fact, it has a very thin deck. 105 00:06:00,344 --> 00:06:02,144 Gabriel weymouth: The thickness of the steel is tiny 106 00:06:02,146 --> 00:06:03,378 compared to the area. 107 00:06:03,380 --> 00:06:05,047 Without any additional stiffening, 108 00:06:05,049 --> 00:06:07,099 it's going to buckle like a piece of paper 109 00:06:07,101 --> 00:06:08,400 under these loads. 110 00:06:08,402 --> 00:06:10,435 (beeping) 111 00:06:10,437 --> 00:06:13,171 narrator: The solution comes from dry land, 112 00:06:13,173 --> 00:06:15,273 from inside skyscrapers. 113 00:06:18,579 --> 00:06:20,946 The deck is only 1 inch thick. 114 00:06:24,268 --> 00:06:27,702 But underneath it, there's a lattice structure 115 00:06:27,704 --> 00:06:30,572 connecting it to a second thin deck. 116 00:06:32,609 --> 00:06:34,209 The lattice is comprised 117 00:06:34,211 --> 00:06:37,312 of very specifically shaped steel beams. 118 00:06:39,516 --> 00:06:42,434 Their cross-section is like a capital I, 119 00:06:42,436 --> 00:06:45,771 just like the I-beams that hold up skyscrapers. 120 00:06:48,175 --> 00:06:51,877 Even when immense force presses down on them, 121 00:06:51,879 --> 00:06:55,213 the shape should prevent any distortion 122 00:06:55,215 --> 00:06:58,100 and protect the thin top skin of the deck. 123 00:07:01,705 --> 00:07:03,505 Gabriel: And that's going to increase the stiffness 124 00:07:03,507 --> 00:07:05,207 without increasing the weight very much 125 00:07:05,209 --> 00:07:09,044 because, at the end of the day, this vessel needs to float. 126 00:07:09,046 --> 00:07:12,013 Narrator: The next problem is how to distribute the load 127 00:07:12,015 --> 00:07:13,648 across the deck. 128 00:07:13,650 --> 00:07:16,401 Nick: It's really important that the cargo deck remains flat 129 00:07:16,403 --> 00:07:18,470 because if it bends slightly 130 00:07:18,472 --> 00:07:20,972 and part of the deck is higher than another part of the deck, 131 00:07:20,974 --> 00:07:23,408 that load will all sit on the highest part of the deck 132 00:07:23,410 --> 00:07:26,478 momentarily, which could break the ship. 133 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:31,766 ♪ ♪ 134 00:07:31,768 --> 00:07:35,871 narrator: At a shipyard in kaohsiung, taiwan, 135 00:07:35,873 --> 00:07:38,773 gpo are building two more heavy lifters 136 00:07:38,775 --> 00:07:43,578 with the exact same design as the amethyst. 137 00:07:43,580 --> 00:07:45,714 And they're in the midst of constructing 138 00:07:45,716 --> 00:07:48,533 the super-strong, ultra-flat decks. 139 00:07:48,535 --> 00:07:54,139 ♪ ♪ 140 00:07:54,141 --> 00:07:57,809 giant piles of steel plates are being prepared. 141 00:07:57,811 --> 00:08:02,681 ♪ ♪ 142 00:08:02,683 --> 00:08:06,668 154 of them need to be fixed together. 143 00:08:06,670 --> 00:08:11,039 That's a mile and a half of seams to be precision-welded. 144 00:08:11,041 --> 00:08:12,040 ♪ ♪ 145 00:08:12,042 --> 00:08:15,343 nick: Welding steel plate is very challenging, 146 00:08:15,345 --> 00:08:17,245 but it's necessary for a ship like this. 147 00:08:17,247 --> 00:08:21,666 ♪ ♪ 148 00:08:21,668 --> 00:08:23,268 (speaking chinese) 149 00:08:23,270 --> 00:08:25,704 hsu huei-lin, translated: We use carbon dioxide arc welding 150 00:08:25,706 --> 00:08:27,138 to make the joints 151 00:08:27,140 --> 00:08:31,843 because it's fast and gives a really smooth finish. 152 00:08:31,845 --> 00:08:37,766 ♪ ♪ 153 00:08:37,768 --> 00:08:43,772 ♪ ♪ 154 00:08:43,774 --> 00:08:49,778 ♪ ♪ 155 00:08:49,780 --> 00:08:53,348 ♪ ♪ 156 00:08:53,350 --> 00:08:55,567 narrator: Once the welding's complete, 157 00:08:55,569 --> 00:08:57,636 the deck is inspected. 158 00:09:07,781 --> 00:09:10,565 Narrator: Shipbuilding doesn't usually involve measurements 159 00:09:10,567 --> 00:09:12,567 in tenths of inches, 160 00:09:12,569 --> 00:09:15,503 but for these ships, it's vital. 161 00:09:26,750 --> 00:09:28,733 Narrator: These vessels will be complete 162 00:09:28,735 --> 00:09:30,869 in roughly a year's time. 163 00:09:30,871 --> 00:09:37,776 ♪ ♪ 164 00:09:37,778 --> 00:09:40,145 back in the gulf of mexico, 165 00:09:40,147 --> 00:09:44,432 evgeniy is racing to rendezvous with the cargo. 166 00:09:44,434 --> 00:09:45,767 Evgeniy: Hard aport. 167 00:09:45,769 --> 00:09:46,668 Man: Zero nine zero. 168 00:09:46,670 --> 00:09:47,869 Evgeniy: Zero nine zero, steady. 169 00:09:47,871 --> 00:09:49,037 Man: Steady. 170 00:09:49,039 --> 00:09:51,072 Man on radio: (radio chatter) 171 00:09:51,074 --> 00:09:53,341 we're gonna count seven, four, seven, four. 172 00:09:53,343 --> 00:09:54,843 Narrator: The amethyst must have 173 00:09:54,845 --> 00:09:57,846 an extraordinarily powerful engine system 174 00:09:57,848 --> 00:10:00,765 to maximize its speed. 175 00:10:00,767 --> 00:10:03,535 The question is, what? 176 00:10:15,849 --> 00:10:19,768 Narrator: With a total length of 738 feet, 177 00:10:19,770 --> 00:10:25,106 a breadth of 158 feet and a height of 20 stories, 178 00:10:25,108 --> 00:10:28,343 the amethyst is vast. 179 00:10:28,345 --> 00:10:32,781 It needs to be to successfully pick up its consignment, 180 00:10:32,783 --> 00:10:36,334 these two massive decommissioned oil rigs. 181 00:10:43,577 --> 00:10:47,912 Narrator: Captain evgeniy checks his radar. 182 00:10:47,914 --> 00:10:49,648 Evgeniy: We're just trying to locate the... 183 00:10:49,650 --> 00:10:52,767 Where the first rig is now. 184 00:10:52,769 --> 00:10:54,936 Narrator: He's closing in on the loading location 185 00:10:54,938 --> 00:10:59,708 off new orleans in the gulf of mexico. 186 00:10:59,710 --> 00:11:01,242 Evgeniy: It's on the starboard propulsion. 187 00:11:01,244 --> 00:11:02,777 On the port propulsion. 188 00:11:02,779 --> 00:11:04,746 Four twenty. 189 00:11:04,748 --> 00:11:06,514 Man: Four twenty. 190 00:11:06,516 --> 00:11:08,233 Narrator: Once the rigs are loaded, 191 00:11:08,235 --> 00:11:10,168 the amethyst needs to carry them 192 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:15,073 more than 13,000 miles to oman as fast as possible. 193 00:11:29,673 --> 00:11:31,840 Narrator: It's crucial that nothing goes wrong 194 00:11:31,842 --> 00:11:33,675 with the propulsion system, 195 00:11:33,677 --> 00:11:35,710 so chief engineer konstantin 196 00:11:35,712 --> 00:11:38,480 has a computer system to monitor it. 197 00:11:38,482 --> 00:11:40,482 Konstantin antufyev: My role here is I'm responsible 198 00:11:40,484 --> 00:11:42,033 for all equipment. 199 00:11:51,278 --> 00:11:54,646 Narrator: There's only one choice for the main engines. 200 00:11:54,648 --> 00:11:57,766 Diesel power remains the standard, 201 00:11:57,768 --> 00:12:02,537 and for a ship this size, the engines need to be gigantic. 202 00:12:02,539 --> 00:12:06,474 One is not enough, so it has a pair on either side. 203 00:12:15,802 --> 00:12:19,604 Danielle: Each engine is around 9,600 horsepower. 204 00:12:19,606 --> 00:12:24,309 That's the equivalent of 12 ferrari v12 engines. 205 00:12:24,311 --> 00:12:27,879 You know, these are really, really powerful engines. 206 00:12:27,881 --> 00:12:30,799 Narrator: Extreme power means extreme weight. 207 00:12:33,837 --> 00:12:38,306 Each engine weighs 132 tons. 208 00:12:38,308 --> 00:12:43,645 The four of them together are heavier than a jumbo jet. 209 00:12:43,647 --> 00:12:46,080 But curiously, these engines 210 00:12:46,082 --> 00:12:49,467 are nowhere near the propellers. 211 00:12:49,469 --> 00:12:51,536 Nick: In most ships powered by diesel engines, 212 00:12:51,538 --> 00:12:54,806 the engine is connected through a gearbox to the propeller shaft 213 00:12:54,808 --> 00:12:56,875 but in this ship, the engines 214 00:12:56,877 --> 00:13:00,044 aren't physically connected to the propellers. 215 00:13:00,046 --> 00:13:02,380 Narrator: The engines' massive size 216 00:13:02,382 --> 00:13:06,234 means the only place they can fit is at the bow. 217 00:13:06,236 --> 00:13:10,205 But that means a 540-foot-long drive shaft 218 00:13:10,207 --> 00:13:12,874 connecting the engines to the propellers, 219 00:13:12,876 --> 00:13:14,776 which can't be done. 220 00:13:14,778 --> 00:13:19,681 Gabriel: One issue with having a 540-foot-long drive shaft 221 00:13:19,683 --> 00:13:21,699 would be that it would need to be supported 222 00:13:21,701 --> 00:13:24,502 all along that length, and that it would have to have bearings 223 00:13:24,504 --> 00:13:25,637 and other kinds of equipment. 224 00:13:25,639 --> 00:13:27,338 You'd have to have access to all those things, 225 00:13:27,340 --> 00:13:30,074 and so that would take up a lot of space below the deck. 226 00:13:30,076 --> 00:13:36,047 ♪ ♪ 227 00:13:36,049 --> 00:13:38,566 narrator: Under the bridge and at the bow-- 228 00:13:38,568 --> 00:13:40,835 the only place there's room for them-- 229 00:13:40,837 --> 00:13:43,738 lie the beating heart of the ship, 230 00:13:43,740 --> 00:13:46,741 the amethyst's engines. 231 00:13:46,743 --> 00:13:49,177 To get the power to the propellers, 232 00:13:49,179 --> 00:13:52,113 they drive electric generators, 233 00:13:52,115 --> 00:13:56,134 then cables carry the power the entire length of the ship 234 00:13:56,136 --> 00:13:58,770 to electric motors at the stern, 235 00:13:58,772 --> 00:14:01,840 which directly drive the propellers. 236 00:14:01,842 --> 00:14:04,442 No long drive shaft required. 237 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,747 It's an elegant solution, but it does mean 238 00:14:09,749 --> 00:14:11,599 the electric motors at the stern 239 00:14:11,601 --> 00:14:14,202 need to be exceptionally large as well. 240 00:14:22,412 --> 00:14:24,779 Nick: The most powerful electric motor in most people's house 241 00:14:24,781 --> 00:14:26,514 is probably in their washing machine, 242 00:14:26,516 --> 00:14:29,334 and each of the motors on amethyst's propeller shafts 243 00:14:29,336 --> 00:14:33,404 is 5,000 times more powerful than that. 244 00:14:33,406 --> 00:14:35,373 Narrator: That kind of electric power 245 00:14:35,375 --> 00:14:38,409 gives the amethyst the ultimate spin cycle. 246 00:14:40,847 --> 00:14:43,348 And to generate sufficient thrust, 247 00:14:43,350 --> 00:14:47,869 the propellers are 18 feet tall. 248 00:14:47,871 --> 00:14:51,539 But what's really clever is the mechanics hidden inside them, 249 00:14:51,541 --> 00:14:53,741 which means they have to be installed 250 00:14:53,743 --> 00:14:57,245 with extreme precision. 251 00:14:57,247 --> 00:15:01,532 ♪ ♪ 252 00:15:01,534 --> 00:15:03,968 in taiwan, there's a rare chance 253 00:15:03,970 --> 00:15:06,905 to see these propellers above the water. 254 00:15:06,907 --> 00:15:09,107 They are installing the starboard prop 255 00:15:09,109 --> 00:15:11,976 on the amethyst's sister ship, the emerald. 256 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:15,480 Fu siang lee, translated: This is a job that needs an engineer. 257 00:15:15,482 --> 00:15:17,515 It's so precise, they have to sign off the measurements 258 00:15:17,517 --> 00:15:19,534 before we can do anything. 259 00:15:21,705 --> 00:15:22,971 Narrator: The blades are made 260 00:15:22,973 --> 00:15:26,007 from a copper, nickel and aluminium alloy. 261 00:15:26,009 --> 00:15:28,176 They're designed to cut through the water 262 00:15:28,178 --> 00:15:30,545 with exceptional efficiency. 263 00:15:37,938 --> 00:15:41,506 Narrator: It's the fastest ship in its class, 264 00:15:41,508 --> 00:15:44,108 but it's what's inside the propeller shafts 265 00:15:44,110 --> 00:15:47,812 that makes the amethyst propulsion system remarkable. 266 00:15:53,370 --> 00:15:56,704 Each propeller has four blades. 267 00:15:56,706 --> 00:15:59,674 Normally the system is solid. 268 00:15:59,676 --> 00:16:03,211 Not on the amethyst. 269 00:16:03,213 --> 00:16:08,800 Inside each shaft is an oil-filled hydraulic piston. 270 00:16:08,802 --> 00:16:12,737 When these move, they alter the angle of the blades. 271 00:16:15,041 --> 00:16:18,509 This means they can swivel or be feathered 272 00:16:18,511 --> 00:16:20,678 to change their pitch 273 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:24,115 and therefore the thrust they produce. 274 00:16:24,117 --> 00:16:26,901 They can also swivel into reverse, 275 00:16:26,903 --> 00:16:31,873 so the shaft spins the same way to go forwards or back. 276 00:16:31,875 --> 00:16:35,977 And when not needed, they have a zero-drag position. 277 00:16:51,578 --> 00:16:54,345 Narrator: Time is money, and in heavy industry, 278 00:16:54,347 --> 00:16:59,167 where an oil rig rents for upwards of $100,000 a day, 279 00:16:59,169 --> 00:17:01,736 the amethyst has to be reliable, 280 00:17:01,738 --> 00:17:05,106 even if the worst happens. 281 00:17:05,108 --> 00:17:08,509 With four diesel engines and four electric motors, 282 00:17:08,511 --> 00:17:10,978 even if there are multiple breakdowns, 283 00:17:10,980 --> 00:17:13,648 both propellers keep turning. 284 00:17:13,650 --> 00:17:14,832 Nick: This ship has the ability 285 00:17:14,834 --> 00:17:16,534 to automatically hold her heading and position 286 00:17:16,536 --> 00:17:17,735 in good weather, 287 00:17:17,737 --> 00:17:21,139 and she can keep doing that even if a component fails. 288 00:17:21,141 --> 00:17:23,207 That's why she has to have two motors per shaft 289 00:17:23,209 --> 00:17:24,976 in case one breaks. 290 00:17:24,978 --> 00:17:29,180 ♪ ♪ 291 00:17:29,182 --> 00:17:32,133 ♪ ♪ 292 00:17:32,135 --> 00:17:35,603 narrator: The amethyst's propulsion system is a triumph. 293 00:17:35,605 --> 00:17:39,340 The ship can cruise for 25,000 miles 294 00:17:39,342 --> 00:17:42,143 without needing to fill up. 295 00:17:42,145 --> 00:17:46,147 That's all the way round the planet. 296 00:17:46,149 --> 00:17:50,935 Right now evgeniy is anxious to meet his cargo on time, 297 00:17:50,937 --> 00:17:54,605 but cruising at high speed in a ship this large and heavy 298 00:17:54,607 --> 00:17:57,642 makes one task particularly difficult: 299 00:17:57,644 --> 00:17:59,577 Bringing it to a stop. 300 00:17:59,579 --> 00:18:03,081 Danielle: It has huge amounts of momentum pushing it forward. 301 00:18:03,083 --> 00:18:04,866 Now, the only way, really, to make that stop 302 00:18:04,868 --> 00:18:08,569 is to have a force in the opposite direction 303 00:18:08,571 --> 00:18:10,605 acting upon that ship. 304 00:18:23,436 --> 00:18:29,340 ♪ ♪ 305 00:18:29,342 --> 00:18:31,075 narrator: 8:00 a.M. 306 00:18:31,077 --> 00:18:33,744 Captain evgeniy is motoring at full speed 307 00:18:33,746 --> 00:18:37,115 to the location where the amethyst is about to load 308 00:18:37,117 --> 00:18:40,601 one of its most challenging cargos yet: 309 00:18:40,603 --> 00:18:45,072 Two scrap oil rigs that it will ship to oman. 310 00:18:45,074 --> 00:18:46,474 (radio chatter) 311 00:18:46,476 --> 00:18:47,575 evgeniy: Bridge, captain. 312 00:18:55,168 --> 00:18:58,035 Narrator: With one of the biggest ships on the oceans, 313 00:18:58,037 --> 00:19:01,639 even the simplest of operations like coming to a stop 314 00:19:01,641 --> 00:19:04,275 has hidden complexities. 315 00:19:04,277 --> 00:19:08,880 At sea, you can't just hit the brakes. 316 00:19:08,882 --> 00:19:13,334 This ship weighs 31,000 tons empty. 317 00:19:13,336 --> 00:19:16,838 Stopping it is like stopping a formula 1 car 318 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:20,842 that's traveling at over 700,000 miles an hour. 319 00:19:23,179 --> 00:19:25,880 Gabriel: You have a car on land and you hit the brakes, 320 00:19:25,882 --> 00:19:27,582 the friction between the tires and the road 321 00:19:27,584 --> 00:19:29,967 will quickly bring the car to a stop, 322 00:19:29,969 --> 00:19:33,104 but the friction against the hull of the amethyst 323 00:19:33,106 --> 00:19:34,472 is very small, 324 00:19:34,474 --> 00:19:37,241 and even if you turn the propellers off, 325 00:19:37,243 --> 00:19:39,744 that thing will keep going for a very long time. 326 00:19:39,746 --> 00:19:45,299 ♪ ♪ 327 00:19:45,301 --> 00:19:48,336 narrator: In open water, the high tech propellers 328 00:19:48,338 --> 00:19:50,438 can switch to reverse thrust 329 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,574 while spinning in the same direction. 330 00:19:53,576 --> 00:19:59,013 That's 8,000 kilowatts all used to force water backwards. 331 00:19:59,015 --> 00:20:03,534 It can stop the ship dead in 500 yards. 332 00:20:05,271 --> 00:20:08,773 Evgeniy: Prepare starboard anchor. 333 00:20:08,775 --> 00:20:11,209 Narrator: Time to drop anchor. 334 00:20:11,211 --> 00:20:13,711 Evgeniy: Please report when be ready. 335 00:20:13,713 --> 00:20:18,966 ♪ ♪ 336 00:20:18,968 --> 00:20:24,138 ♪ ♪ 337 00:20:26,175 --> 00:20:27,775 narrator: Meet aleks. 338 00:20:27,777 --> 00:20:31,712 He's the load master and has over 25 years' experience 339 00:20:31,714 --> 00:20:35,499 supervising some of the most complex ocean cargo operations 340 00:20:35,501 --> 00:20:38,336 on the planet. 341 00:20:38,338 --> 00:20:40,271 He's heading out to the amethyst 342 00:20:40,273 --> 00:20:44,642 to plan the detailed execution of the load. 343 00:20:44,644 --> 00:20:47,578 Aleksandrs przendzinskis: The loading can complete three days. 344 00:20:47,580 --> 00:20:49,347 But we need good weather. 345 00:20:51,150 --> 00:20:52,566 Narrator: Now on board, 346 00:20:52,568 --> 00:20:56,137 aleks studies the weather forecast with the captain. 347 00:20:56,139 --> 00:20:59,507 It is not looking good. 348 00:20:59,509 --> 00:21:01,409 Aleksandrs: Big question mark. 349 00:21:01,411 --> 00:21:04,378 The direction the weather is going to, we don't like, 350 00:21:04,380 --> 00:21:09,100 because actually the window is closing. 351 00:21:09,102 --> 00:21:10,735 Evgeniy: The forecast becomes less friendly 352 00:21:10,737 --> 00:21:12,803 for the loading operation itself, yeah. 353 00:21:12,805 --> 00:21:16,340 But other look is not promising. 354 00:21:16,342 --> 00:21:18,109 It's not promising at all, yeah. 355 00:21:18,111 --> 00:21:20,511 Aleksandrs: Oh, seven? 356 00:21:20,513 --> 00:21:22,680 Narrator: They need inch-perfect positioning 357 00:21:22,682 --> 00:21:24,999 to load the oil rigs. 358 00:21:25,001 --> 00:21:28,436 If there's bad weather, it'll mean delays. 359 00:21:28,438 --> 00:21:32,673 If there's a storm, they won't be able to load at all. 360 00:21:32,675 --> 00:21:36,377 And there is one on the horizon. 361 00:21:36,379 --> 00:21:40,948 The question is, when will it hit? 362 00:21:40,950 --> 00:21:45,536 The whole mission hangs in the balance. 363 00:21:45,538 --> 00:21:48,506 Even in good weather, it is extremely difficult 364 00:21:48,508 --> 00:21:52,943 for the amethyst to hold its position in the open sea. 365 00:21:52,945 --> 00:21:54,645 Nick: A ship afloat can move 366 00:21:54,647 --> 00:21:56,781 in what we call six degrees of freedom. 367 00:21:56,783 --> 00:21:59,033 It can slide forward and backward, 368 00:21:59,035 --> 00:22:00,601 left and right, up and down, 369 00:22:00,603 --> 00:22:03,404 and it can also turn around each of those three axes, 370 00:22:03,406 --> 00:22:06,240 rolling, pitching and yawing. 371 00:22:06,242 --> 00:22:09,543 Narrator: The amethyst has special hinged rudders, 372 00:22:09,545 --> 00:22:11,946 which gives it a much smaller turning circle 373 00:22:11,948 --> 00:22:14,482 than many other ships of its size. 374 00:22:15,585 --> 00:22:17,668 ♪ ♪ 375 00:22:17,670 --> 00:22:21,806 in taiwan, they're installing them on the new ships, 376 00:22:21,808 --> 00:22:25,042 and it needs to be done with incredible accuracy. 377 00:22:25,044 --> 00:22:26,243 (speaking chinese) 378 00:22:26,245 --> 00:22:27,712 chun an lin, translated: We need to precisely align 379 00:22:27,714 --> 00:22:30,181 the center line from top to bottom 380 00:22:30,183 --> 00:22:35,169 to make sure the rudder base is balanced when we install it. 381 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:38,839 Narrator: Fitting the rudders is not easy 382 00:22:38,841 --> 00:22:41,776 in taiwan's tropical high temperatures. 383 00:22:44,380 --> 00:22:47,782 In the heat of the day, the metal expands, 384 00:22:47,784 --> 00:22:49,867 which could mean the team don't put the rudder 385 00:22:49,869 --> 00:22:51,335 in the right place. 386 00:22:51,337 --> 00:22:55,306 An inch off could compromise the ship's maneuverability. 387 00:22:58,878 --> 00:23:02,513 So, they use a simple, if inconvenient, trick. 388 00:23:05,334 --> 00:23:06,934 Chun an lin: We have to do it at night 389 00:23:06,936 --> 00:23:11,205 to ensure we eliminate any chance of miscalculations. 390 00:23:11,207 --> 00:23:14,008 Narrator: Even though the cargos are enormous, 391 00:23:14,010 --> 00:23:15,876 loading them aboard the amethyst 392 00:23:15,878 --> 00:23:19,647 will require extremely accurate maneuvering. 393 00:23:19,649 --> 00:23:22,466 Fancy rudders alone are not enough. 394 00:23:25,571 --> 00:23:30,141 Deep below the water line, near the very bottom of the vessel, 395 00:23:30,143 --> 00:23:34,779 there are several curious shafts that traverse the ship. 396 00:23:34,781 --> 00:23:39,066 Inside there are thrusters, extra side-on propellers 397 00:23:39,068 --> 00:23:43,337 that can force water out of the shafts in controlled bursts. 398 00:23:46,042 --> 00:23:48,843 Nick: The forces required to maintain its position precisely 399 00:23:48,845 --> 00:23:50,311 are just enormous, 400 00:23:50,313 --> 00:23:53,280 and that's why her bow and stern thrusters are huge. 401 00:23:53,282 --> 00:23:55,699 They can generate very large amounts of thrust very quickly 402 00:23:55,701 --> 00:23:56,767 when they're needed, 403 00:23:56,769 --> 00:23:59,136 and stop again very quickly when they're not. 404 00:23:59,138 --> 00:24:01,138 Narrator: There are four thrusters; 405 00:24:01,140 --> 00:24:04,041 two at the bow and two at the stern. 406 00:24:07,547 --> 00:24:10,648 Evgeniy: The four thrusters now in operational condition. 407 00:24:10,650 --> 00:24:13,200 Number two and one bow thrusters 408 00:24:13,202 --> 00:24:15,269 and number three and four stern thrusters, 409 00:24:15,271 --> 00:24:16,370 so we can swing the vessel 410 00:24:16,372 --> 00:24:19,440 in the desired direction how we need to. 411 00:24:21,110 --> 00:24:24,778 Narrator: With these thrusters, the amethyst can move sideways 412 00:24:24,780 --> 00:24:28,466 in tiny increments, as well as forwards and reverse. 413 00:24:28,468 --> 00:24:34,705 ♪ ♪ 414 00:24:34,707 --> 00:24:36,640 like the main propellers, 415 00:24:36,642 --> 00:24:38,976 they can change the pitch of their blades 416 00:24:38,978 --> 00:24:43,981 to control the thrust they are delivering. 417 00:24:43,983 --> 00:24:48,769 They're part of what's called a dynamic positioning system, 418 00:24:48,771 --> 00:24:52,573 but although it enables incredible control of the ship, 419 00:24:52,575 --> 00:24:56,610 it can do nothing to control weather. 420 00:24:56,612 --> 00:25:01,832 Either wind speed or wave height could halt the mission. 421 00:25:01,834 --> 00:25:03,517 Aleksandrs: Yeah, to load these two rigs 422 00:25:03,519 --> 00:25:07,271 we need wind less than ten knots, 423 00:25:07,273 --> 00:25:11,242 and the sea stay at less than half a meter. 424 00:25:11,244 --> 00:25:12,877 If it's above these limits, 425 00:25:12,879 --> 00:25:15,312 then we cannot load because it's not safe. 426 00:25:15,314 --> 00:25:19,133 We can damage the vessel, the cargo and, most importantly, 427 00:25:19,135 --> 00:25:23,871 we also can harm our crew during loading. 428 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:31,078 ♪ ♪ 429 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:34,415 ♪ ♪ 430 00:25:34,417 --> 00:25:37,101 narrator: It's 6:00 p.M. Off new orleans, 431 00:25:37,103 --> 00:25:41,105 and aleks checks the forecast. 432 00:25:41,107 --> 00:25:44,341 (indistinct conversation) 433 00:25:44,343 --> 00:25:46,410 evgeniy: ...Overnight. 434 00:25:46,412 --> 00:25:49,146 ♪ ♪ 435 00:25:49,148 --> 00:25:52,967 narrator: He discovers his weather window is shrinking. 436 00:25:52,969 --> 00:25:55,202 The storm is heading their way, 437 00:25:55,204 --> 00:25:57,972 and the crew are suddenly concerned. 438 00:25:57,974 --> 00:26:00,140 (thunder) 439 00:26:00,142 --> 00:26:02,643 ♪ ♪ 440 00:26:02,645 --> 00:26:06,146 evgeniy: We've got sudden squalls appears, 441 00:26:06,148 --> 00:26:11,569 with wind speed up to 55 knots. 442 00:26:11,571 --> 00:26:14,572 Major swell coming from the south in the area. 443 00:26:14,574 --> 00:26:20,477 (thunder) 444 00:26:29,639 --> 00:26:32,873 narrator: The amethyst is waiting to load two oil rigs 445 00:26:32,875 --> 00:26:37,444 with a combined weight of 25,000 tons. 446 00:26:37,446 --> 00:26:39,013 (thunder) 447 00:26:39,015 --> 00:26:43,500 but overnight, the weather takes a turn for the worse. 448 00:26:43,502 --> 00:26:46,003 Evgeniy: Now we've got sudden squalls appears 449 00:26:46,005 --> 00:26:49,673 with wind speed up to 55 knots. 450 00:26:49,675 --> 00:26:52,042 Narrator: A force-eight gale is now blowing. 451 00:26:52,044 --> 00:26:53,310 (indistinct conversation) 452 00:26:53,312 --> 00:26:56,046 narrator: With gusts more than five times the wind speed 453 00:26:56,048 --> 00:26:57,448 they can safely load in... 454 00:26:59,602 --> 00:27:02,770 Narrator: ...The entire operation is in jeopardy. 455 00:27:02,772 --> 00:27:05,172 If there's no window in this violent storm, 456 00:27:05,174 --> 00:27:07,875 they might have to reschedule the operation. 457 00:27:07,877 --> 00:27:10,210 Evgeniy: This is a good example of the adverse weather 458 00:27:10,212 --> 00:27:14,548 can change gradually just within seconds. 459 00:27:14,550 --> 00:27:16,567 Narrator: They resort to engine power 460 00:27:16,569 --> 00:27:20,804 to try and stop the amethyst pulling anchor. 461 00:27:20,806 --> 00:27:22,272 Evgeniy: But the anchor is holding well 462 00:27:22,274 --> 00:27:26,343 and we are just confident that we are safe at the moment, 463 00:27:26,345 --> 00:27:29,813 so we just get ready in all respects just in case. 464 00:27:29,815 --> 00:27:31,215 (thunder) 465 00:27:31,217 --> 00:27:32,833 narrator: After an anxious wait, 466 00:27:32,835 --> 00:27:37,738 the lashing rain subsides, leaving just high winds. 467 00:27:37,740 --> 00:27:41,342 Evgeniy needs to know how the rigs are doing. 468 00:27:41,344 --> 00:27:45,245 If either is in trouble, the load is off. 469 00:27:45,247 --> 00:27:47,147 Evgeniy: There are also compensating the wind effect 470 00:27:47,149 --> 00:27:50,034 in the area. 471 00:27:50,036 --> 00:27:51,702 So, hopefully they are okay. 472 00:27:51,704 --> 00:27:57,241 ♪ ♪ 473 00:27:57,243 --> 00:27:59,677 (beeping) 474 00:27:59,679 --> 00:28:02,880 narrator: Next morning, the wind dies down. 475 00:28:04,784 --> 00:28:09,103 But as the crew wait for the swell to return to safe limits, 476 00:28:09,105 --> 00:28:11,438 new information suddenly comes in 477 00:28:11,440 --> 00:28:16,844 about how deep the rigs are sitting in the water. 478 00:28:16,846 --> 00:28:20,114 They're lower than expected. 479 00:28:20,116 --> 00:28:22,966 This is a crisis for the amethyst 480 00:28:22,968 --> 00:28:24,835 because of the highly unusual way 481 00:28:24,837 --> 00:28:27,971 she's going to load the rigs. 482 00:28:27,973 --> 00:28:31,608 25,000 tons of awkwardly shaped steel 483 00:28:31,610 --> 00:28:34,344 looks impossible to heave onto a deck. 484 00:28:37,116 --> 00:28:42,002 The gpo engineers had to defy shipbuilding logic. 485 00:28:49,412 --> 00:28:52,379 Narrator: The way the amethyst will load the oil rigs 486 00:28:52,381 --> 00:28:55,899 is to deliberately submerge its deck beneath them, 487 00:28:55,901 --> 00:29:00,337 and then refloat to lift them out of the water. 488 00:29:00,339 --> 00:29:03,741 The amethyst is known as a semi-submersible 489 00:29:03,743 --> 00:29:07,044 because it only partially sinks. 490 00:29:07,046 --> 00:29:08,412 Nick: There's something really impressive 491 00:29:08,414 --> 00:29:11,315 about seeing something just so massive 492 00:29:11,317 --> 00:29:13,367 submerge itself almost completely under water 493 00:29:13,369 --> 00:29:14,701 and then come up again. 494 00:29:14,703 --> 00:29:18,405 Just the scale of these things is mind-blowing. 495 00:29:18,407 --> 00:29:25,145 ♪ ♪ 496 00:29:25,147 --> 00:29:26,980 danielle: I find it absolutely incredible. 497 00:29:26,982 --> 00:29:30,801 So, a ship that can sink itself in a controlled manner 498 00:29:30,803 --> 00:29:33,337 sort of defies science. 499 00:29:33,339 --> 00:29:39,777 ♪ ♪ 500 00:29:39,779 --> 00:29:42,412 narrator: So, how do the amethyst's designers 501 00:29:42,414 --> 00:29:45,365 achieve a feat that challenges the fundamentals 502 00:29:45,367 --> 00:29:47,501 of ship design? 503 00:29:47,503 --> 00:29:49,770 The answer is hidden under the deck. 504 00:29:49,772 --> 00:29:54,908 ♪ ♪ 505 00:29:54,910 --> 00:29:57,110 below the steel lattice, 506 00:29:57,112 --> 00:30:00,881 there's no cargo hold, no cabins. 507 00:30:00,883 --> 00:30:05,569 The ship's entire hull is made of ballast tanks. 508 00:30:05,571 --> 00:30:07,971 When water is pumped into them, 509 00:30:07,973 --> 00:30:10,908 it reduces the ship's displacement, 510 00:30:10,910 --> 00:30:14,912 and the ship gradually begins to sink below the water line. 511 00:30:24,907 --> 00:30:28,175 Narrator: The amethyst is ready to submerge, 512 00:30:28,177 --> 00:30:31,144 but the news that the oil rigs are sitting lower than expected 513 00:30:31,146 --> 00:30:34,548 in the water changes everything. 514 00:30:34,550 --> 00:30:37,367 The ship will have to be lowered further than planned 515 00:30:37,369 --> 00:30:39,736 to float the rigs over the deck, 516 00:30:39,738 --> 00:30:44,007 and there's a bigger problem that needs urgent attention. 517 00:30:44,009 --> 00:30:47,945 When submerged, guide posts welded to the deck 518 00:30:47,947 --> 00:30:50,447 need to be visible above the water 519 00:30:50,449 --> 00:30:53,700 to show the exact spot the rigs must align to. 520 00:31:00,342 --> 00:31:01,842 Narrator: With the ship deeper, 521 00:31:01,844 --> 00:31:04,945 these guide posts will be completely invisible. 522 00:31:04,947 --> 00:31:07,614 Evgeniy: Our original design guide post is 7 meters, 523 00:31:07,616 --> 00:31:11,201 so the guide post should be extended by 2 meters height 524 00:31:11,203 --> 00:31:15,305 to be visible while the floating cargo will be over the deck. 525 00:31:15,307 --> 00:31:17,875 Narrator: The whole operation will be called off 526 00:31:17,877 --> 00:31:21,745 if the crew can't modify these guide posts. 527 00:31:21,747 --> 00:31:25,632 Evgeniy: The option is to weld the special antenna 528 00:31:25,634 --> 00:31:28,201 up to two meters high. 529 00:31:28,203 --> 00:31:30,304 Narrator: Extending the guide posts 530 00:31:30,306 --> 00:31:34,875 should enable the operation to continue. 531 00:31:34,877 --> 00:31:36,977 The crew have to work fast. 532 00:31:36,979 --> 00:31:40,414 They don't know how long the weather window will hold. 533 00:31:40,416 --> 00:31:43,967 ♪ ♪ 534 00:31:43,969 --> 00:31:46,870 finally, the captain is satisfied. 535 00:31:46,872 --> 00:31:48,705 The huge deck area 536 00:31:48,707 --> 00:31:52,309 is now ready to receive the two giant cargos, 537 00:31:52,311 --> 00:31:54,912 and the operation can begin. 538 00:31:54,914 --> 00:31:57,748 It will take about six hours. 539 00:32:01,103 --> 00:32:04,605 ♪ ♪ 540 00:32:04,607 --> 00:32:06,039 the hull of the amethyst 541 00:32:06,041 --> 00:32:09,910 can fit 160,000 cubic yards of water, 542 00:32:09,912 --> 00:32:13,347 enough to fill 49 olympic swimming pools 543 00:32:13,349 --> 00:32:16,533 and create a potential danger. 544 00:32:16,535 --> 00:32:18,402 Nick: As the ship moves slightly in the waves, 545 00:32:18,404 --> 00:32:21,505 all that ballast water would slosh from one side to the other 546 00:32:21,507 --> 00:32:23,040 or from one end to the other 547 00:32:23,042 --> 00:32:25,175 and the ship would roll over, no doubt about it. 548 00:32:27,780 --> 00:32:30,814 There's a very simple solution to avoiding capsizing your ship, 549 00:32:30,816 --> 00:32:32,165 which is to break the ship up 550 00:32:32,167 --> 00:32:34,334 into a large number of ballast tanks. 551 00:32:34,336 --> 00:32:37,471 Divide the sloshing surface up into as many pieces as you can. 552 00:32:42,077 --> 00:32:43,143 Narrator: The hull is split 553 00:32:43,145 --> 00:32:46,413 into a total of 76 ballast tanks, 554 00:32:46,415 --> 00:32:49,599 laid out in three layers. 555 00:32:49,601 --> 00:32:52,002 This allows the crew to regulate 556 00:32:52,004 --> 00:32:55,038 exactly which parts of the hull are emptied 557 00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:57,741 so that the ship is always kept stable. 558 00:32:57,743 --> 00:33:00,944 ♪ ♪ 559 00:33:06,368 --> 00:33:07,868 man: Ballasting starting. 560 00:33:12,374 --> 00:33:17,878 Narrator: Inside the bridge, the crew begin the submerge. 561 00:33:17,880 --> 00:33:20,914 Evgeniy: This is the main brain for the cargo operation, 562 00:33:20,916 --> 00:33:22,265 so this is actually the system 563 00:33:22,267 --> 00:33:25,736 which this vessel is designed for. 564 00:33:25,738 --> 00:33:29,139 Narrator: The ship's 95,000-square-foot deck 565 00:33:29,141 --> 00:33:34,044 starts to sink down 30 feet, or nine and half meters. 566 00:33:34,046 --> 00:33:36,380 Evgeniy: This is the physical process of taking the water 567 00:33:36,382 --> 00:33:39,032 into the designated ballast tanks, 568 00:33:39,034 --> 00:33:41,134 how it is calculated to know that the vessel, 569 00:33:41,136 --> 00:33:43,603 to get the positive stability all the time 570 00:33:43,605 --> 00:33:45,505 for the cargo operation. 571 00:33:45,507 --> 00:33:48,775 ♪ ♪ 572 00:33:48,777 --> 00:33:50,510 narrator: By early morning, 573 00:33:50,512 --> 00:33:54,981 the ship's hull is successfully submerged. 574 00:33:54,983 --> 00:33:58,602 But this is when it's at its most vulnerable. 575 00:33:58,604 --> 00:34:02,139 Evgeniy: I can't say that we are just not nervous. We are. 576 00:34:14,737 --> 00:34:17,904 ♪ ♪ 577 00:34:17,906 --> 00:34:21,208 narrator: Partially submerged, the amethyst waits 578 00:34:21,210 --> 00:34:26,012 for the first of its monumental cargos to be floated over it. 579 00:34:26,014 --> 00:34:29,800 The next part of the operation is the most dangerous: 580 00:34:29,802 --> 00:34:32,269 Bringing the cargo into physical contact 581 00:34:32,271 --> 00:34:34,671 with the amethyst. 582 00:34:34,673 --> 00:34:39,409 This rig alone weighs 13,500 tons. 583 00:34:39,411 --> 00:34:41,578 So the amethyst's crew 584 00:34:41,580 --> 00:34:44,681 must make sure the ship doesn't sink altogether. 585 00:34:44,683 --> 00:34:47,134 Evgeniy: All the personnel must be very vigilant all the time, 586 00:34:47,136 --> 00:34:50,737 and especially the guys who's operating the particular system, 587 00:34:50,739 --> 00:34:53,340 including the guys who's controlling this. 588 00:34:53,342 --> 00:34:54,941 Nick: When the ship's ballasted down for loading, 589 00:34:54,943 --> 00:34:56,710 she's in a very vulnerable position. 590 00:34:56,712 --> 00:34:58,512 It doesn't take very much flooding 591 00:34:58,514 --> 00:35:01,014 before she's at serious risk of sinking. 592 00:35:01,016 --> 00:35:05,402 ♪ ♪ 593 00:35:05,404 --> 00:35:06,470 narrator: The ship now has 594 00:35:06,472 --> 00:35:11,108 roughly 100,000 tons of water inside its hull. 595 00:35:11,110 --> 00:35:13,710 All that's stopping it plunge further 596 00:35:13,712 --> 00:35:16,012 are the parts above sea level. 597 00:35:18,650 --> 00:35:20,567 Where they break the water line 598 00:35:20,569 --> 00:35:23,703 is known as the water plane area. 599 00:35:23,705 --> 00:35:26,039 Nick: When amethyst is ballasted up 600 00:35:26,041 --> 00:35:27,507 in her transport configuration, 601 00:35:27,509 --> 00:35:29,509 she has a huge water plane area, 602 00:35:29,511 --> 00:35:31,912 and that gives her enormous stability. 603 00:35:31,914 --> 00:35:34,848 But when she's ballasted down in the loading configuration, 604 00:35:34,850 --> 00:35:37,033 her water plane is tiny. 605 00:35:40,272 --> 00:35:43,173 Narrator: The bridge holds up the bow of the ship 606 00:35:43,175 --> 00:35:47,377 and crucially, these two giant towers at the stern. 607 00:36:01,376 --> 00:36:03,877 Narrator: As long as they're kept above sea level, 608 00:36:03,879 --> 00:36:06,479 the water plane area will be large enough 609 00:36:06,481 --> 00:36:09,833 to stop the ship diving to the bottom of the ocean. 610 00:36:09,835 --> 00:36:13,737 ♪ ♪ 611 00:36:15,607 --> 00:36:18,408 man on radio: Weatherly. Weatherly, this is rig mover. 612 00:36:18,410 --> 00:36:20,343 You copy me? 613 00:36:20,345 --> 00:36:22,879 (radio chatter) 614 00:36:22,881 --> 00:36:24,114 narrator: At last. 615 00:36:24,116 --> 00:36:27,500 With the weather holding, the first rig can be loaded. 616 00:36:35,844 --> 00:36:38,578 Narrator: Aleks instructs three tugboats 617 00:36:38,580 --> 00:36:41,882 to gently pull the rig towards the amethyst. 618 00:36:48,740 --> 00:36:52,642 Narrator: The closer they get, the higher the risk. 619 00:36:52,644 --> 00:36:54,544 Nick: There's not a lot of ship above the water. 620 00:36:54,546 --> 00:36:56,146 She doesn't have a lot of spare buoyancy, 621 00:36:56,148 --> 00:36:57,681 and there are tugs, 622 00:36:57,683 --> 00:36:59,766 and there is a heavy object moving around her. 623 00:36:59,768 --> 00:37:02,869 There's a very high risk of collision. 624 00:37:02,871 --> 00:37:04,471 Narrator: The corners of the load 625 00:37:04,473 --> 00:37:06,706 now need to be tied to the ship 626 00:37:06,708 --> 00:37:08,975 so it can be carefully winched in 627 00:37:08,977 --> 00:37:11,077 to line up with the guide posts. 628 00:37:18,337 --> 00:37:20,537 Narrator: With four ropes connected, the rig 629 00:37:20,539 --> 00:37:24,674 can be pulled into position directly over the deck. 630 00:37:24,676 --> 00:37:26,109 Man on radio: Well, we're down to 40. 631 00:37:39,508 --> 00:37:42,742 ♪ ♪ 632 00:37:42,744 --> 00:37:44,611 narrator: They pull the rig inch by inch 633 00:37:44,613 --> 00:37:46,646 towards the guide posts, 634 00:37:46,648 --> 00:37:50,100 which mark exactly where the rig needs to be positioned. 635 00:38:01,413 --> 00:38:04,314 Narrator: It is the critical stage. 636 00:38:04,316 --> 00:38:07,734 When the amethyst lifts the rig out of the water, 637 00:38:07,736 --> 00:38:11,638 even an inch off the mark could upset the weight distribution 638 00:38:11,640 --> 00:38:15,875 across the deck and destabilize the entire ship. 639 00:38:24,870 --> 00:38:30,006 Narrator: They get it close, but not close enough. 640 00:38:30,008 --> 00:38:32,509 One final effort is all it needs. 641 00:38:48,443 --> 00:38:51,411 Gabriel: In order to reemerge from under the water, 642 00:38:51,413 --> 00:38:54,681 it has to shift out 100,000 tons of water 643 00:38:54,683 --> 00:38:55,965 from its tanks. 644 00:38:55,967 --> 00:39:00,704 It has to do so quickly, which is pretty amazing. 645 00:39:00,706 --> 00:39:03,406 Narrator: The ship is now ready to lift itself 646 00:39:03,408 --> 00:39:09,212 and 13,500 tons of oil rig clean out of the water. 647 00:39:09,214 --> 00:39:11,348 It's the moment of truth. 648 00:39:11,350 --> 00:39:15,468 ♪ ♪ 649 00:39:26,214 --> 00:39:28,114 narrator: In the gulf of mexico, 650 00:39:28,116 --> 00:39:29,799 the amethyst is about to start 651 00:39:29,801 --> 00:39:34,104 the final and most hazardous stage of the loading operation. 652 00:39:37,409 --> 00:39:41,578 The rig is now in place over the submerged deck. 653 00:39:41,580 --> 00:39:45,348 They can start bringing the ship up. 654 00:39:45,350 --> 00:39:47,233 Everybody's tense. 655 00:39:48,370 --> 00:39:53,106 The 13,500-ton rig is locked in position, 656 00:39:53,108 --> 00:39:55,508 but until it makes contact with the ship, 657 00:39:55,510 --> 00:39:58,445 it's still floating and unpredictable. 658 00:39:59,281 --> 00:40:00,447 Nick: Because she's vulnerable 659 00:40:00,449 --> 00:40:02,665 for the whole process that she's ballasted down, 660 00:40:02,667 --> 00:40:05,969 amethyst needs to move thousands and thousands of tons of water. 661 00:40:05,971 --> 00:40:11,674 ♪ ♪ 662 00:40:11,676 --> 00:40:14,744 narrator: Pumps with high-speed impeller blades 663 00:40:14,746 --> 00:40:18,815 use centrifugal force to fling water out of the tanks 664 00:40:18,817 --> 00:40:23,503 at an incredible rate of over four million gallons per hour. 665 00:40:23,505 --> 00:40:27,006 (water gurgling) 666 00:40:27,008 --> 00:40:31,511 instead of days, they can be emptied in seven hours. 667 00:40:31,513 --> 00:40:34,481 ♪ ♪ 668 00:40:34,483 --> 00:40:38,368 (whirring) 669 00:40:38,370 --> 00:40:42,238 evgeniy: Pumps are big in order to have a bigger capacity. 670 00:40:42,240 --> 00:40:43,907 It is a bit noisy here. 671 00:40:43,909 --> 00:40:47,410 ♪ ♪ 672 00:40:47,412 --> 00:40:50,046 narrator: As the ship starts to rise, 673 00:40:50,048 --> 00:40:54,334 when deck and rig meet, it's crunch time. 674 00:40:56,938 --> 00:40:59,139 Evgeniy: There are a lot of factors can go wrong, 675 00:40:59,141 --> 00:41:02,675 and we should be ready for any of this. 676 00:41:02,677 --> 00:41:06,546 We are trying to do this, and until now we are managing that. 677 00:41:09,117 --> 00:41:11,634 Nick: One of the riskiest points in the whole operation 678 00:41:11,636 --> 00:41:15,238 is as the ship lifts up and makes contact with the load. 679 00:41:15,240 --> 00:41:17,474 We have to be sure the load's in exactly the right place. 680 00:41:19,845 --> 00:41:21,978 Narrator: The pumps are so powerful, 681 00:41:21,980 --> 00:41:25,965 the sudden buoyancy has to be tightly controlled. 682 00:41:25,967 --> 00:41:28,835 Right now, if anything goes wrong, 683 00:41:28,837 --> 00:41:30,837 it will be a catastrophe. 684 00:41:30,839 --> 00:41:32,438 Nick: If there's a problem with the ballasting system 685 00:41:32,440 --> 00:41:36,109 and the ship doesn't come up exactly as she was meant to, 686 00:41:36,111 --> 00:41:39,012 that could cause the ship to lose stability, 687 00:41:39,014 --> 00:41:41,614 that could result in her capsizing. 688 00:41:41,616 --> 00:41:44,834 Narrator: But the amethyst can shift her own weight around 689 00:41:44,836 --> 00:41:46,503 to keep her balance. 690 00:41:49,040 --> 00:41:52,175 The pumps don't just move the water out of the tanks 691 00:41:52,177 --> 00:41:54,210 and back into the sea; 692 00:41:54,212 --> 00:41:58,014 they can also move water around the ship. 693 00:41:58,016 --> 00:42:00,033 However the load is sitting, 694 00:42:00,035 --> 00:42:03,002 amethyst can shift her center of gravity 695 00:42:03,004 --> 00:42:04,771 to remain stable. 696 00:42:04,773 --> 00:42:08,341 Gabriel: As it lifts up these giant oil rigs, 697 00:42:08,343 --> 00:42:11,344 it needs to be careful to keep the center of the weight 698 00:42:11,346 --> 00:42:13,513 in the center of the vessel, 699 00:42:13,515 --> 00:42:16,599 and so if the oil rigs are slightly off-center, 700 00:42:16,601 --> 00:42:18,601 slightly further forward or left or right, 701 00:42:18,603 --> 00:42:22,906 it can compensate by moving the water from one tank to another. 702 00:42:22,908 --> 00:42:25,775 Narrator: The ship keeps rising out of the water. 703 00:42:25,777 --> 00:42:31,347 ♪ ♪ 704 00:42:31,349 --> 00:42:33,233 success. 705 00:42:33,235 --> 00:42:38,238 The amethyst has loaded the first rig. 706 00:42:38,240 --> 00:42:40,073 Evgeniy: So, we are safe. 707 00:42:40,075 --> 00:42:44,043 (gulls squawking) 708 00:42:44,045 --> 00:42:46,713 (radio chatter) 709 00:42:46,715 --> 00:42:50,466 narrator: The next day, the team need to repeat the process 710 00:42:50,468 --> 00:42:52,869 to get the second rig onto the deck. 711 00:42:52,871 --> 00:42:56,573 ♪ ♪ 712 00:42:56,575 --> 00:42:58,942 as the ship rises once more, 713 00:42:58,944 --> 00:43:01,644 the ballast team keep careful watch. 714 00:43:01,646 --> 00:43:05,181 ♪ ♪ 715 00:43:05,183 --> 00:43:09,235 both rigs are out of the water and in the right place. 716 00:43:11,640 --> 00:43:15,208 Now the crew can weld them securely onto the deck 717 00:43:15,210 --> 00:43:17,944 before their long journey to oman. 718 00:43:17,946 --> 00:43:20,079 ♪ ♪ 719 00:43:20,081 --> 00:43:25,901 at last, the amethyst and her incredible 25,000-ton cargo 720 00:43:25,903 --> 00:43:30,707 are ready to set sail for the other side of the world. 721 00:43:30,709 --> 00:43:35,712 It's a job almost no other ship on earth could do. 722 00:43:35,714 --> 00:43:39,999 Evgeniy: We consider that the loading operation 723 00:43:40,001 --> 00:43:42,168 has been completed. 724 00:43:42,170 --> 00:43:44,570 ♪ ♪ 725 00:43:44,572 --> 00:43:47,740 narrator: From her incredible super-strong deck 726 00:43:47,742 --> 00:43:53,546 to her super-powerful propulsion system... 727 00:43:53,548 --> 00:43:56,833 From inch-perfect positioning 728 00:43:56,835 --> 00:44:00,737 to her complex multi-tank ballast arrangement, 729 00:44:00,739 --> 00:44:05,575 she's one of heavy industry's greatest superstructures. 730 00:44:05,577 --> 00:44:06,976 Gabriel: Amethyst is remarkable, 731 00:44:06,978 --> 00:44:10,480 because they put all of these different technologies together 732 00:44:10,482 --> 00:44:13,966 to give a heavy-lift ship that can do its job 733 00:44:13,968 --> 00:44:16,436 just about as perfectly as you can imagine. 734 00:44:16,438 --> 00:44:23,209 ♪ ♪ 735 00:44:23,211 --> 00:44:25,078 captioned by side door media services