However, every year salvage tugs go to the assistance of vessels left helpless after a major failure of propulsion or steering systems. During early 1999, for example, a Chinese salvage team reacted when the tanker Dan Chi, laden with 38,830 tonnes of crude oil, reported a broken propeller shaft during a voyage from South Korea to Shanghai. The tanker was brought to safety by salvage tugs. An ISU salvor towed the casualty to safety. Rapid response In many instances a casualty's condition will deteriorate rapidly without the intervention of a salvor.
Instant response is essential.
In 1978, the ISU commenced an Annual Statistical Survey. In return, ISU salvors received salvage revenue over this period amounting to just over five per cent of the total salved values. Wreck removal ISU members have the expertise and heavy equipment required to undertake complex wreck removal operations. Wreck removals often require the mobilisation of some of the heaviest units in the world salvage fleet, including sheerlegs cranes, pullbarges and other specialised equipment. The wrecks consisted of a variety of vessel types.