Marine and Underwater Construction | Longitude 123, Inc.

A Brief History of the Surf Sled Vehicle:
An Interview with Mark Steffy, Designer and Fabricator of the SSV

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You created the first Surf Sled Vehicle in 1986. What was the purpose of the design and what inspired the concept?

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How and why did you modify the design for the next project that required a SSV ?

The third version of the Surf Sled was smaller than the other two. What was the purpose of the smaller design ?

In hindsight, "Surf Sled Vehicle" is an obvious name for the vehicle. Were there any names that you considered at the time ?

A Visual History of the Surf Sled Vehicles

[1986] Surf Sled Vehicle I (SSV-I)

In 1986 L123 principal, Mark Steffy, designed and fabricated the world's first surf sled (Surf Sled I) along with a portable cofferdam. This skid mounted structure was designed for launch from a support vessel moored offshore, towed into the surf zone with a bulldozer operating from the shoreline, and pinned to the seafloor over the leak with pin-piling jetted in on each corner of the surf sled. The cofferdam was then lowered into position from inside the surf sled as built-in air lifts excavated around the pipeline. Once excavated the broken area was exposed and the repair made within 24 hours of the start. This project was the source of two technical papers.

[1991] Surf Sled Vehicle II (SSV-II)

In 1991, Mark Steffy, conceived and developed the Surf Sled II mobile skid. This project involved the stabilization of a reinforced concrete outfall pipeline in the surf zone offshore of Carlsbad, California. Approximately 2,000’ of this 48-inch diameter pipeline was precariously suspended above the seafloor and required stabilization. Environmental restrictions precluded the use of beach or shore-based support systems such as a trestle or pier, and the surf zone was too active to permit the use of floating equipment. Mark Steffy also conceived and directed the design of a unique pipe support system. The surf sled used on this project was the second of three surf sleds designed, constructed and managed by Mark Steffy.

[1993] Surf Sled Vehicle II-Jr (SSV-II-Jr)

In 1993, Mark Steffy directed the design, construction and operation of the Surf Sled II-Jr, in support of the CSLC Summerland Beach 1993 oil well plug and abandonment program. This was the third “surf sled” to be designed and successfully operated by Mr. Steffy. Steve Simpson led the team that designed the unique legacy well plug and abandonment methods, tools and processes and served as the project manager of the actual plug and abandonment work.

NOTE TO MARK:

The slideshow to the left is designed to be used on our LinkedIn page, NOT ON THIS PAGE. I put it here just so you can see it. The idea is to make a post on LinkedIn then link back to this page.

Surf Sled Interview