On the 12th May 2011, Bulk Carrier "MAGNUM POWER", laden with 33,649.2 MT of corn and wheat, ran aground in the Magdalena River, Barranquilla, Colombia, approximately 6km upstream from the river entrance. TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE were awarded an LOF 2011 contract - the first ever LOF 2011 version.

During the last two months Colombia has been experiencing extreme rainfall and the Magdalena River was at its highest levels in several years resulting in extreme river currents and sediment / debris at the casualty's location.

Tug "DON LUCHO" (40 tons BP) was mobilized from Barranquilla to the casualty's immediate assistance and the salvage team was assembled from various locations worldwide. Tugs "GOLIATH" (100 tons BP), "ORCA VI" (70 ton BP) were mobilized from local station Barranquilla and "LIMA II" (65 ton BP) was dispatched from Curacao to hold the vessel by way of the port side against the current.

A refloating attempt was made on the 16th May using tugs "GOLIATH", "EOS II" (50 ton BP) mobilized from local station Barranquilla, "ORCA VI" (mobilized from Curacao) and "DON LUCHO" but with no success.

On the 20th May, Bulk Carrier "CHIOS WIND" ran aground at Magdalena River entrance and all operations on the BC "MAGNUM POWER" were ordered suspended by the harbour master of Barranquilla until the "CHIOS WIND" was refloated.

Following the successful refloating of "CHIOS WIND" on the 25th May, preparations to refloat the "MAGNUM POWER" could progress and a revised refloating plan (towage by stern up river) was submitted to the harbour master on the 25th May and approved on the 26th May. "MAGNUM POWER" after de-ballasting was successfully refloated on the 26th May and towed by tugs "URANUS" (leading tug) dispatched from Caribbean Sea, "ORCA VI", "EOS II", "LIMA II", "GOLIATH" and "DON LUCHO" to Barranquilla. Due to sudden change in circumstances the "MAGNUM POWER" once refloated proceeded by own means and escorted by the tug "URANUS" to the discharging berth. "MAGNUM POWER" arrived safely at discharging birth on the 27th May for discharging cargo and repairs. Following the completion of all works, "MAGNUM POWER" was safely redelivered to her owners on the 5th June.

The three week salvage operation was supported by the T&T Bisso team on location.