TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE GROUP - News & Announcements
Q3 2017 Tsavliris Activities - 2017 Sep 20
Bulk Carrier "RAINBOW HARMONY"
On 14 June 2017, the Bulk Carrier "RAINBOW HARMONY" (GT 22,456 – DWT 35,106) immobilised about 300 miles west of Luanda, Angola following generators failure. During the incident the vessel was on a passage from Panjang, Indonesia to Brake, Germany, laden with 32,000 tonnes of indonesian palm kernel expeller in bulk.
On 18 June, Tsavliris Salvage were contracted to provide assistance and on 19 June the AHTS "UOS EXPLORER" was dispatched from Limbe, Cameroon, arriving at the casualty's position on 22 June. The vessel was supplied with 50 tonnes of fresh water and 30 cases of bottled water. Tow line was established and towage to Walvis Bay, Namibia commenced on the same day. The convoy arrived safely at destination on 2 July. The salvage tug provided standby services at Walvis Bay anchorage according to the Master's instructions until 26 July when the operation was completed and the salvage tug was released.
Bulk Carrier "NAVIOS ORBITER"
On 12 July 2017, the bulk carrier "NAVIOS ORBITER" (GT 39,727 - DWT 76,602) experienced mechanical failure and was immobilised approximately 64 nautical miles east of Lisbon, Portugal. The vessel was en route from the Amazon River, Brazil, to Lisbon and Amsterdam, laden with 55,000 tonnes of soya beans.
On 13 July, Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to provide assistance and on 14 July the "VB HISPANIA" (BHP 8,046 - BP 103T) was dispatched from Ceuta, Spain to her assistance via Gibraltar for the embarkation of the shipowner's superintendents. On 14 July, the tug arrived at the casualty's position and on 15 July tow connection was established and towage to Lisbon commenced.
On 17 July, the convoy arrived at destination and proceeded to the inner anchorage with the assistance of two port tugs. The operation was completed successfully on the same day.
MV "MISTRAL
On 20 July 2017, the general cargo vessel "MISTRAL" (GT 5,469 – DWT 7,321) was immobilised, due to main engine problem, while transiting the Dover Straits TSS and anchored 19 miles north east of Dover, English Channel. The vessel was en route from Constantza, Romania to Hamburg, Germany, laden with 5,000 tonnes of bulk corn.
On the same day, Tsavliris Salvage were contracted to provide assistance and established direct contact with the UK Coastguard (Counter Pollution and Response branch and Salvage Officer). On 21 July the T/B "LINGESTROOM" (BHP 4,000 – TBP 62) was dispatched from off Cherbourg, France to her assistance. The tug arrived on the same day at the casualty's location, established tow connection and commenced towage to Hamburg. In the evening, the convoy arrived safely at Elbe Pilot station, where a pilot boarded and a stern tug was connected.
On 24 July, the vessel arrived at Hamburg and berthed alongside, with the assistance of port tugs. The operation was completed successfully on the same day.
Bulk Carrier "VSC POSEIDON"
On 26 June 2017, the Bulk Carrier "VSC POSEIDON" (GT 40,357 – DWT 74,957) encountered main engine malfunction and anchored north of Salvador, Brazil. The vessel was en route from Mobile, USA to Richards Bay, South Africa, laden with 54,000 tonnes of shoal creek coking coal.
On 26 June, Tsavliris Salvage were contracted to provide assistance and on 27 June, Tsavliris' Salvage Master was instructed to inspect the tugs "TS MERITO" and "TS FAVORITO" (60 TBP each) before they were dispatched from Rio de Janeiro (Niteroi), Brazil on 28 June. Moreover, various meetings were held with the Port Authorities regarding entry permits to Salvador.
On 2 July, the two tugs arrived at the casualty's position and tow lines were established in adverse weather conditions. Due to strong wind (40 knots) and swell (up to 4 meters), both tugs disconnected for safety reasons and stood-off the casualty. Significant dragging of about 600 metres was noted towards submerged cables (fiber optics), approximately 2 miles from the anchored position. All towing arrangements for safe re-connection were made and on 6 July towage commenced with difficulties and interruptions due to prevailing weather conditions.
On 9 July, the vessel safely anchored south of anchorage No 5. Due to prevailing swell, technicians and surveyors were unable to board the vessel for inspection. A meeting was held at Harbor Master's office with all parties concerned including Navy Officers. It was agreed that the vessel proceed to anchorage No. 3 for repairs with the assistance of the two salvage tugs and two port tugs, the "MERCURIUS" and the "CEPHEUS".
On 13 July, the salvage master boarded the vessel and the convoy arrived safely at No. 3 anchorage. The two port tugs were released while the two salvage tugs provided stand by services. On 14 July, the services were terminated and both tugs were released.
Bulk Carrier "TRIUMPH"
On 27 July 2017, the Bulk Carrier "TRIUMPH" (GT 30,661 – DWT 50,619) immobilised due to main engine problems approximately 1,050 miles west of Port of Ensenada, Mexico in the Pacific Ocean. During the incident the vessel was on a voyage from Port Rhoades, Jamaica to Longkou, China, laden with 47,000 tonnes of bulk bauxite.
On 29 July, Tsavliris Salvage dispatched the MT "MICHELLE FOSS" to her assistance, from Seattle. Prior to departure the tug was supplied with 10 drums x 220 litres oil for transfer to the casualty.
On 2 August, the "MICHELLE FOSS" arrived at the casualty's position and delivered about 20 tonnes of fresh water. However, due to prevailing swell it was impossible to deliver the oil drums to the casualty. Towing connection was established and towage to Ensenada commenced. During the towage, the vessel was supplied with an additional 20 tonnes of fresh water.
Due to heavy yawing of the tow, the tug's speed was reduced to avoid damages. The convoy arrived safely at Ensenada on 14 August. With the assistance of "MICHELLE FOSS" as leading tug, two pilots and three port tugs, the vessel berthed. The "MICHELLE FOSS" berthed alongside at pier No. 2, waiting outward clearance and to deliver the oil drums to the casualty. On 15 August, the oil drums were delivered to the vessel, the "MICHELLE FOSS" was released and the operation was completed.
Chemical tanker "AGIA ZONI II"
On 9 September 2017, the chemical tanker "AGIA ZONI II" (DWT 3,205) sank while anchored off Salamina island's eastern coast, Greece, laden with fuel oil and marine gas oil. As a result, a considerable part of coastline in Salamina and the Saronic Gulf, has been polluted and a major clean-up operation is under way. Tsavliris Salvage has made available its anti-pollution equipment to assist the oil spill cleanup.