Soon after the Xiang Yan Kou, a 711-foot Chinese offshore heavy lift ship from Singapore appeared in Resurrection Bay Febuary 28th to dry tow the Noble Discover to South Korea, Catalyst Marine Engineering was ready to position, fit and secure 44 sea fasteners to the deck of the XYK for the trip across the Pacific.

For five days, beginning March 3rd, CME began its work. Two crews, each with eight welders and two supervisors worked around the clock to accomplish the job. Each of the lift ship's sea-fasteners were positioned and welded directly to the deck of the XYK. This would prevent the drill ship from shifting, moving or swaying, even if the vessel encountered heavy seas. The fasteners were spaced out along the hull's center, bow and stern. It took the 20-person team five days and nights to accomplish the work. Finally, each of the welds was carefully inspected and certified by Alaska Industrial X-Ray, Inc.

The Kulluk, which had been conventionally towed to Dutch Harbor, required the same work on a sister ship to the XYK. In a last minute decision CME was called to continue work already begun on the vessel. A smaller crew was sent and finished the remaining work without any delays.