The Principles of Buoyancy and Underwater Lift Bags

SUBSALVE USA ENGINEERED FROM THE BOTTOM UP!

A Greek named…

had the right idea!

Buoyancy and the Archimedes Principal

The principal states that the upward buoyant force that acts upon a body partially or completely submerged is equal to the weight of the fluid that is displaced

› Sea Water = 64 › Fresh Water = 63

Weight of Common Mediums

FuelOil

36

Air Helium

Gases

5

Concrete Steel

Solids

150 490

Water

Liquids

64 45

Fuel Oil

Underwater Weight / Buoyant Force

DryWeight

Weight of the Displaced Liquid

-=Underwater Weight

SUBSALVE USA Lift Bags Quad Bags

› Light duty open bottom › 25 – 200 lbs.› Roll up and carry › Good for small recoveries.

Commercial Lift Bags › Heavy duty› Open bottom lift bags with plunger dump valve. › Less portable but rugged from 100 - 500 lbs.

Professional Lift Bags › Heavy duty open bottom lift bags › From 1,000 – 70,000 lbs. › For larger recoveries and salvage

Enclosed Flotation Bags › Heavy duty enclosed “ Pillow Shape”› lift bags from 200 - 6,000 lbs. › Good for vessel salvage, shallow water, towing.

Salvage Pontoons › Heavy duty enclosed cylindrical shape lift bags› from 1,000 - 70,000 lbs. › For larger salvage, construction, shallow water and towing.

Specialty Flotation Systems › VRS 2000 – Vehicle Recovery System› Mark V ORCA – Underwater ordnance disposal system, bomb recovery systems

Accessories › rigging, slings, shackles, cable, inflation, valving, packaging, etc.

Subsalve USA Corporate Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility6946 Post Road

North Kingstown, RI 02852

Quad bag 100 raising Amphora from 200 B.C. Roman ship wreck Kizilburin, Turkey.

Salvage of a 40 ft. lobster boat using EFB 2000 and EFB 4000 lift bags

116 ft. Azimut salvage using EFB 6000s.

Salvage of 55 ft. fishing boat using Professional 2000 and 4000 lift bags in Nova Scotia where

the 30 ft. tide made it easy to perform the repairs.

Commercial lift bags being used for training by NASA astronauts at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab.

Rhode Island State Police recovering a submerged vehicle using VRS 2000.

Salvage Pontoons (SP-6000) used in pipe installation in Saudi Arabia!

Enclosed lift bags and Salvage Pontoons rigged low on the hull to allow dewatering.

100’ sailing yacht raised with Professional 12,000’s in Bora Bora.

PF 20,000,PF 50,000 and PF 70,000 used to roll over the capsized freighter the Spiegel Grove

SP-90000 used to raise the Russian K-77 Juliette class submarine from the Providence River, RI

EFB-2000 used for the James Cameron Deepsea Challenger mission to the bottom of the Mariana

Trench

EFB-4000 used to salvage a heliocopter

SP-40000 and SP-70000 used for draft reduction

OPERATIONS & USE

1. Before and after each dive lift bags and components must be carefully inspected for any damage. Any damage or wear must be recorded as well as any action taken. Every use must be recorded. (See repair instructions if repairs are required)

2. Always thoroughly wash all components as well as lift bag bodies with fresh water and allow to dry before storing. Lubricate relief valves with O-ring grease and spray with silicon spray. Tighten set screws in cap as necessary. Lubricate ball valve and quick disconnect with marine lubricant spray or WD-40.

3. Place a tag on the lift bag clearly identifying the Date, Condition, and Recorders Name when the bag was stored. Store in a dry location not to exceed 100 °F. Store in hanging position if possible, roll or fold with fewest folds.

4. Once the job or task is determined, several steps must be taken to properly rig the lift bag(s). It is extremely important to carefully plan each phase of the job, as well as having all of the necessary equipment; i.e.: rigging, air, hose, boat, manpower, etc., not to mention good weather and sea conditions. Proper planning is the first and most important phase of any project, in addition to carefully and safely executing the plan. Determine dry weight and displacement of object being raised. Consider the total buoyancy required with a safety factor. Consider bottom conditions, silting, suction, etc.

PLAN AND EXECUTE THE SALVAGE PLAN

PLAN AND EXECUTE THE DIVE PLAN

1. Positioning of the lift bag(s): Always place bags where lift is best balanced and the best leverage is attained, over the object being lifted. Try to determine the center of mass of the object being lifted (Engine(s) size, cabin location, additional deck equipment, cargo, etc.). Always place the lift bags externally and KEEP THE CENTER OF BOUYANCY ABOVE THE CENTER OF MASS.

2. Always attach lifting lines, straps, or cables completely around the object being lifted. When possible, secure additional lines directly to the object. Make sure that lifting straps/lines are at least rated equal to the lift capacity of the lift bag. When possible, attach to structural lifting points (shafts, struts, rudder posts, through scuppers) Do not position straps/lines or lift bags where extreme chafing can cause damage to them.

3. Always attach control lines and tow lines prior to lift.

4. Attach lift bags to rigging with shackles rated at least equal to the lift capacity of the lift bag. ALWAYS ATTACH TO ALL RECOMMENDED LIFT POINTS FOR EACH DESIGN LIFT BAG (i.e.: open bottom, enclosed, or pontoon.)

OPERATIONS & USE

Continued…

5. When using multiple lift bags, distribute the lift over the entire length or width of the object being lifted. Always balance lift bags evenly, using bags of equal lift capacity on each side of the object. ALWAYS USE MULTIPLE BAGS TO DISTRIBUTE THE LOAD AND DISTRIBUTE THE RISK. When possible, manifold all air lines to fill lift bags simultaneously, for even lift.

6. When inflating lift bags, insert air line or regulator into the bottom of the lift bag, or attach an air line directly on to the inflation valve. Always partially inflate each lift bag to insure proper rigging, location and clearance. ALWAYS INFLATE FRON THE CENTER OF MASS OUTWARD. As the bag and object begin to rise, stand clear and out of the lifting path. Do not stay directly under or over the object during lift, or when lift is completed. Make sure the surface is clear over the object prior to lift.

7. To dump air from a lift bag for any reason, either pull the lanyard or open the ball valve to allow enough air to escape to bring the bag down to the desired level. Then release the lanyard or shut the valve.

8. Once the object has been successfully lifted to the surface, secure additional lines if being towed. If being lifted into a boat or out of the water, secure additional lines to the object and LIFT THE OBJECT - NOT THE BAG DIRECTLY.

OPERATIONS & USE

RIGGING RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The use of SUBSALVE USA lift bags is at the user's own risk; thus ALWAYS exercise extreme caution using lift bags.

2. Plan the lifting job thoroughly, i.e., necessary air, lines, hardware, weather forecasts, towing and lifting procedures, etc. Always carry an adequate air supply (compressor or scuba cylinders), and an additional air supply for divers to fill the lift bags.

3. CONSIDER WATER DEPTH (REFER TO AIR INFLATION CHART FOR TOTAL AIR REQUIRED)

4. When rigging air and lift lines be careful not to entangle divers or diving apparatus.

5. Use rigging of first quality, using rated hardware and slings - rated for lifts intended.

PRECAUTIONS

PRECAUTIONS

Summary of Lift Bag Use

1. Be aware of the DANGERS when using lift bags2. Have experienced Lift Bag personnel on site3. Carry out full calculations on the item to be lifted or supported. 4. Ensure that you have the appropriate combination of bags and which ones to

use. 5. Ensure that you have plenty of support equipment: i.e., shackles, ropes,

straps, chain, marine ply, canvas, compressed air, hoses, etc..6. Check the strength of the lifting points on the item you are lifting or

supporting. 7. Use Parachute Bags for lifting. Use Enclosed Bags for surface flotation,

especially when towing. 8. Be aware of the sea conditions, including sea state, currents, tides and

monitor the weather forecast. 9. Take you time, and remove any thing that can damage the bags, i.e.,

barnacles, jagged metal, etc..10. And finally…….

Be prepared for the unexpected!

Hot Air Gun Procedure

Lay out air bag in clean, dry and well lit conditions Select or cut a patch from the material supplied in the repair kit. To make an effective repair

the patch should overlap by a minimum of 3 inches (80mm) around the damaged area. Adjust the heat setting on the base of the hot air gun and switch on. Allow the gun to heat

up thoroughly. The recommended setting for the heavy fabric is between 7 and 9. Do some test welds to fine tune the heat setting. When pulling apart, one layer of PVC

should pull off leaving the polyester weave un-covered. Clean the area to be patched as thoroughly as possibly. A general cleaning solvent should

be used. First, position the roller in the center of the patch. Lift one edge and slide gun between

patch and bag surface up to position of roller. Maintaining a firm and even pressure on the roller, draw the gun carefully to the edge of patch while steadily following with the roller. Work this principle until the whole patch has been welded, always working from the center to the edge. Care should be taken not to allow the nozzle to come in contact with the bag. Localized burning will result.

The repair on the outside of the bag is generally found to be adequate; however, where the patching area is restricted on the outside of the bag, a second patch inside is essential.

The hot air gun can be used for any splits/holes up to 8” or 200mm long, larger damage should be referred back to the manufacturer, especially where tears or cuts sever or partially sever any main seam or where the size of the patch is restricted by valves, etc.

Hot air gun patches should extend no less than 3 inches (80mm) all the way around a repair for maximum strength.

LIFT BAG REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

Adhesive Bonding Instructions

For punctures, holes, slices, and abrasions apply a patch that covers at least 1 1/2” outside the damaged area on the INTERIOR of the lift bag.

1. Clean the area to be repaired thoroughly2. Cut the patch to fit the area3. Buff the damaged area and patch with the abrasive paper4. Clean with M.E.K. or acetone. 5. Apply two coats of adhesive to EACH surface allowing at least 10 minutes for drying between coats. 6. Allow three to five hours for drying. For best results wait 24 hours before using lift bag. For a complete and guaranteed patch repeat the above steps with another patch on the EXTERIOR of the lifting bag on the damaged area.

LIFT BAG REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

Professional 50,000 lb lift bag rocketing 150 ft. into the air after rigging failure on (Spiegel

Grove).

Load testing and certification of a Professional 70,000 lb lift bag where the load cell reached 80,400 lbs

Lift Bag Air Inflation Chart

Surface

33’ 66’ 99’ 132’ 165’ 198’ 231’ 264’ 297’ 330’

AmbientPress

14.7 29.4 44.1 58.8 73.5 88.2 102.9 117.6 132.3 147.0 161.7

50 lbs. 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.2 4.0 4.8 5.6 6.4 7.2 8.0 8.8

100 lbs. 1.6 3.2 4.8 6.4 8.0 9.6 11.2 12.8 14.4 16.0 17.6

200 lbs. 3.2 6.4 9.6 12.8 16.0 19.2 22.4 25.6 28.8 32.0 35.2

500 lbs. 6.4 15.8 23.7 31.6 39.5 47.4 55.3 63.2 71.7 79.0 86.9

1000 lbs. 15.8 31.6 47.4 63.2 79.0 94.8 110.6 126.4 142.2 158.0 173.8

2000 lbs. 31.6 63.2 94.8 126.4 158.0

189.6 221.2 252.8 284.4 316.0 347.6

3000 lbs. 47.5 95.0 142.5 190.0 237.5

285.0 332.5 380.0 427.5 475.0 522.5

6000 lbs. 95.1 190.2 285.3 380.4 475.5

570.6 665.7 760.8 885.9 951.0 1046.1

12000 lbs. 190.2 380.4 570.6 760.8 951.0

1141.2

1331.4

1521.6

1711.8

1902.0

2092.2

20000 lbs. 317 634 951 1268 1585 1902 2219 2536 2853 3170 3487

Depth (feet)

Lif

t C

apac

ity

(lb

s.)

When all else fails… add more bags!