Refloating

Refloating is the nautical salvage operation aimed at returning a vessel, wreck, or submerged object from a grounded, beached, or sunken condition to buoyancy and mobility. In maritime practice, refloating is typically a preliminary or final stage of salvage, enabling towing to safety or repair facilities. It applies to ships that have run aground, sunken hulls resting on the seabed, or equipment lost in waterways, and can also include underwater salvage or archaeological projects where an object must be lifted to the surface.

A refloating operation requires careful assessment of the vessel’s condition, the seabed, water depth, tides and weather, as well as potential environmental risks such as fuel or oil leaks. A salvage plan is prepared in coordination with maritime authorities and insurers, outlining the chosen method, equipment, timelines, and contingencies.

Common refloating methods include buoyancy-assisted lifting with lift bags or inflatable pontoons attached to the hull, connected to a source of air or gas; the inflation of these devices provides upward force to refloat the vessel. Additional approaches use rigid pontoons, barges, or controlled ballast and dewatering to reduce load; dredging may be employed to remove sediment and create a more favorable pathway.

After regaining buoyancy, tugs or other vessels are used to tow the vessel to safe water or a repair yard. Refloating carries risks of structural damage, capsizing, environmental incidents, and regulatory or liability issues, and is performed only after approvals and coordinated planning.