Cylindrical Underwater Lifting Bag Successfully Used in Subsea Recovery Operation

Cylindrical Underwater Lifting Bag Successfully Used in Subsea Recovery Operation

Offshore, January 2026 — A set of cylindrical underwater lifting bags was recently deployed in a subsea recovery operation, enabling the safe and efficient lifting of heavy underwater equipment from the seabed.

According to the project operator, the recovery task involved retrieving subsea equipment weighing approximately 18 tons from a depth of 28 meters. Due to restricted vessel access and unstable seabed conditions, conventional crane lifting methods were considered unsuitable for the operation. As a result, cylindrical underwater lifting bags were selected as the primary lifting solution.

The lifting bags used in the operation were manufactured from reinforced PVC coated fabric and designed to withstand harsh marine environments. Each cylindrical underwater lifting bag was equipped with high strength lifting straps, stainless steel hardware, and pressure relief valves to ensure controlled buoyancy and operational safety.

During the operation, professional divers secured multiple lifting bags to designated rigging points on the submerged equipment. Compressed air was gradually supplied from the surface, allowing the bags to inflate evenly. The cylindrical design provided stable vertical lift and minimized lateral movement during ascent, improving control and reducing stress on the lifting system.

Project supervisors reported that the equipment was successfully lifted off the seabed, stabilized at an intermediate depth for inspection, and then safely raised to the surface without incident. No damage to the equipment or lifting bags was observed.

“The use of cylindrical underwater lifting bags significantly improved safety and efficiency in this recovery operation,” said a project representative. “The system allowed precise buoyancy control and reduced overall recovery time.”

Industry experts note that cylindrical underwater lifting bags are increasingly being adopted in offshore construction, salvage, and maintenance projects due to their durability, reusability, and ease of deployment.

The successful completion of this operation further highlights the reliability of cylindrical underwater lifting bags as a practical solution for challenging subsea lifting and recovery tasks.