Fully Cellular Containership “CAFER DEDE” 2011

On the 8th November, fully cellular containership "CAFER DEDE" (GRT 21,092, DWT 26,700), laden with about 800 containers, ran aground on hard rocks South-East of Syros Island, while on passage from Turkey to Italy. Tsavliris dispatched own salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS", and tug "ARMADORES I", for diving support and anti-pollution, to her immediate assistance. Following the mobilization of salvage team, oil booms were deployed around the vessel as a precaution, and an underwater inspection was carried out to ascertain bottom damage.

The following vessels were mobilized for this salvage operation: crane barge "IGNATIOS III", tug "MICHALIS S", bunker barge "SEKAVIN", lightening vessels M/V "KNIDOS" and M/V "TIGER SEA".

Following the approval of the salvage plan by local authorities, cracks were temporarily patched, fuel and pollutants were removed without incident and about 200 containers were transferred to M/V "KNIDOS" and M/V "TIGER SEA". After completion of the lightening operations, "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" connected to the stern of the casualty and successfully refloated her on Tuesday 22nd November.

The "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" stood by the casualty for about 10 days at a nearby anchorage. Casualty was granted permission to proceed to Turkey under own power on 1st December - she proceeded to Izmit bay for discharging, and thence to Tuzla for dry docking.