TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE GROUP - News & Announcements
Bulk Carrier "SINICA GRAECA" - 2017 Nov 05
On 17 August 2017, the Bulk Carrier "SINICA GRAECA" (GT 35,884 - DWT 63,270), laden with about 50,000 tonnes coal in bulk, on passage from Indonesia to India was involved in a collision in Singapore Straits.
The collision caused significant damages to the starboard side of the "SINICA GRAECA", by way of cargo hold No. 2. As a result of the damage, FOT No. 2 was breached and the fuel oil spilled both into the sea and into cargo hold No. 2. Moreover, 4,274 tonnes cargo spilled (or were washed out) into the sea.
The deformed area on the side shell in way of the cargo hold No. 2 stbd side extended from frame 165 up to frame 195 and from the main deck level down to the bilge plate. The gaping hole in the middle of the deformed area was over 100 m2 metres.
Salvors appointed agents along with subcontractors (Singapore Salvage Engineering) who provided salvage and antipollution equipment, crafts, divers and man power.
On 21 August, mobilisation of a local oil spill emergency response team, equipment and man power commenced as well as a salvage team from Greece and Holland. On 23 August, the salvage team boarded the casualty. Ocean oil booms were deployed/secured around the casualty and underwater inspection by divers and cleaning operations commenced.
Due to the extent of the damage the vessel required full cargo discharge in sheltered waters. By 10 September, the vessel was clean and the patch and slosh guard were in place so that casualty was ready for transit to shelter. Salvors requested and received formal permission from MPA Singapore to shift the casualty from her actual position to the Raffles Reserve anchorage.
On 21 September cargo receiving vessel "AMERICA GRAECA" was fixed by Contractors with ETA Singapore on 24 September. On 25 September, the casualty escorted by T/B "POSH HUSKY" commenced the transit to Singapore. The vessel anchored at Raffles Reserve anchorage and works to place the oil booms commenced. On 5 October, cargo discharge to cargo barges commenced initially from cargo hold No. 2 in order to relieve the damaged area from stresses. Discharging of sound and contaminated cargo from "SINICA GRAECA" was loaded onto barges and thence loaded onto "AMERICA GRAECA". On 21 October the cargo discharge operation was completed. On 24 October the "SINICA GRAECA" was safely moored alongside a floating dock at the Pax Ocean shipyard premises. On the same day, the cargo transfer from barges onto "AMERICA GRAECA" was completed. On 25 October 2017 the operation was completed successfully.The entire salvage operation lasted 68 days.