Salvage & Towage Services - Operations Reference List 2015
- Motor Vessel "MINOAN GRACE"
On 28 December 2015, the bulk carrier "MINOAN GRACE" (GT 33,044 – DWT 57,000) experienced windlass malfunction while discharging at Bhavnagar anchorage, India in very strong prevailing currents.
Tsavliris mobilised the AHST "SEA CHEETAH" (12,240 BHP – 126 TBP) from Mumbai, to render anchor handling and stand-by services.
The "SEA CHEETAH" arrived at Bhavnagar on 30 December and approached the "MINOAN GRACE". Upon completion of discharging the port anchor was released from the chain locker onto the seabed and the recovery of anchor and anchor chain commenced. It was reported that the anchor had fouled on the seabed making the recovery more difficult.
The "MINOAN GRACE" sailed from Bhavnagar and proceeded outside the VTS area for waiting the "SEA CHEETAH" to deliver both the anchor and the anchor chain.
On 31 December the "SEA CHEETAH" managed to retrieve the anchor and the anchor chain. Later the "SEA CHEETAH" proceeded to rendezvous position, berthed alongside bow to stern to the "MINOAN GRACE".
On 1 January the delivery of anchor was completed successfully and the "SEA CHEETAH" proceeded to her salvage station in Mumbai.
- Bulk Carrier "LOS LLANITOS"
On 23 October 2015, the Panamax bulk carrier "Los Llanitos" (40,420 GT – 71,731 DWT) grounded on rocky bottom north of Manzanillo, at Barra de Navidad, West Coast Mexico, during the passing hurricane "Patricia" – which was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the western hemisphere. On 24 October Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to provide salvage assistance.
On 25 October, Tsavliris Salvage team and their subcontractors Messrs. "Resolve Marine Group'' team arrived on scene.
The prevailing strong winds and heavy swell, did not allow the salvage teams to board the casualty. Due to severe damage sustained by casualty a quick refloating was not possible, therefore the salvage master focused on the removal of marine pollutants in order to limit any potential harm to the environment. Floating oil booms were deployed around the casualty.
As the weather conditions did not allow any approach by sea, all necessary crafts and equipment were mobilized from USA and Panama respectively, through subcontractors as well as locally, and were transferred on board the casualty with the assistance of a local helicopter.
On 28 October the salvage team managed to board the casualty and prepared for the removal of hydrocarbons and chemical pollutants.
About 1,700 litres of chemical products were packed and removed with the use of helicopter and were transferred to shore reception facilities for disposal.
On 14 November the weather conditions slightly improved allowing only the tug "Resolve Commander" to go alongside the vessel for the removal of hydrocarbons which was completed on 19 November. The total amount of hydrocarbons removed was 520,000 litres which were transferred safely ashore between 21 and 24 October. The one-month operation was successfully completed on 26 November.
- Bulk Carrier "NEW HUNTER"
On 2 October 2015, the geared bulk carrier "New Hunter" (25,531 GT - 46,212 DWT) partly laden with 20,195 tons of fine alumina powder grounded in the Suriname River fairway – South America, whilst on passage from Paranam to Baltimore.
On 6 October, Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to provide salvage assistance.
A salvage team, consisting of the Salvage Master, a Salvage Engineer, a Naval Architect and divers arrived on board the casualty on 7 October.
On 15 October, after lightering about 2,000 tons of cargo to two vessels ("Orion Trader" and Galaxy Trader"), during high water, the vessel was refloated with the assistance of four tugs.
Underwater and internal inspections were carried out which revealed minor damages in No 1 double bottom tank portside and No 2 double bottom. All damages were temporarily repaired.
Due to heavy swell, the 2,000 tons of lightening cargo could not be reloaded at anchor off Suriname. Furthermore, for safety reasons, the Paramaribo Pilots rejected the request to proceed to Paramaribo inner anchorage.
The casualty and the two lightering vessels "Orion Trader" and Galaxy Trader", proceeded to Georgetown, Guyana, where the trans-shipment was completed.
The successful salvage operation/lightering lasted three weeks and was terminated on 28 October at Georgetown.
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- Chemical Tanker "ELKA GLORY"
On 29 September 2015, the Chemical Tanker "ELKA GLORY" (GRT 27,612 - DWT 44,598) sustained engine problems off San Juan, laden with 33,461.24 tons regular/premium gasoline and gasoil.
- Bulk Carrier "CAPE ELISE"
On 4 September 2015, capesize bulk carrier "Cape Elise" (88,853 GT – 174,124 DWT), fully laden with 168,330 tons of iron ore, made bottom contact in the Singapore Straits (deep-water channel) resulting in bottom damage and water ingress in port double bottom tanks No 2, 3 and port wing tank No 4.
During the incident the vessel was on passage from Yuzhny/Odessa, Ukraine to Zhoushan/Jiangyin, China.
On 4 September, Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to provide salvage assistance.
On the same day, the AHTS "Uos Navigator" (16,320 BHP – 200 TBP) was mobilized from Singapore to assist the casualty. The managers and agents of the casualty requested permission from the Singapore Port Authorities (MPA) to proceed and anchor inside the port limits for damage assessment. Their request was denied, and the casualty, escorted by the "Uos Navigator", anchored on 5 September outside the entrance to Singapore Straits, in the open China Sea.
On 6 September, the salvage master arrived at Singapore and a meeting was arranged with the MPA on 7 October. At the meeting, port entry was agreed upon submission of the required documentation, including the "Fit to Port Entry'' declaration by ship's classification society (LR). All documentation was submitted on the same day and on 8 September permission was granted.
On 9 September the "Cape Elise", escorted by the AHTS "Uos Navigator", anchored at Raffles reserved anchorage (section R2).
In compliance with Port Authorities' requirements, oil booms were deployed around the casualty.
On 10 September, an underwater inspection commenced by Singapore Salvage Engineering (SSE) divers and was completed on 13 September. Underwater repairs (temporary patching) commenced by the SSE team on 14 September and were completed on 30 October. These included the internal double bottom tanks repairs.
The salvage services lasted about two months and were successfully terminated on 30 October.
- Motor Tanker "FAIR AFRODITI"
On 14 August 2015, the Product Chemical Tanker "FAIR AFRODITI" (12,756 GT - 8,513 DWT) suffered significant damage following an explosion during tank cleaning while she was off Lome, Tongo. Severe structural damage was sustained, flooding of the engine room and cargo tanks occurred and the casualty listed about 18 degrees to port. The entire crew abandoned the casualty. Prior the incident the vessel was proceeding to Lome anchorage for STS loading.
On 15 August 2015, Tsavliris Salvage deployed the T/B "RATCEL J'' and the AHTS "THE GUARDIAN" to provide assistance. On 16 August a Tsavliris Salvage team (comprising of a salvage master, salvage engineers and riggers) was mobilised from Greece to Lome as well as suitable salvage equipment.
Messrs. OMA GROUP were appointed as agents for Tsavliris, whilst the SRN GROUP were appointed to provide diving services.
The Tsavliris Salvage team boarded the vessel on 17 August and remained until 8 September. During this time the team managed to stabilise the vessel by undertaking the following:
-Correcting the vessel's list and trim by transferring ballast and removing oily water and bunkers.
-Making the hull, pump room and engine room watertight by sealing the sea chests and overboards, closing sea valves internally and sealing the cargo pumps.
-Removing all bunkers, oily water, lubricating oil (about 215 m3) and paints from the vessel.
-Stripping the engine room tanks, pump room bilges and slop tanks.
-Removing provisions and sealing the fridges.
The salvage services were completed on 8 September. The Tsavliris Salvage team continues providing services under a Care Taking arrangement signed on 9 September. A skeleton salvage team remains on board the standby tug "THE GUARDIAN" providing basic essential services until the vessel's final disposal.
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- Bulk Carrier "AMBER L"
On 18 July 2015 our S/T "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" (7,000 BHP - 83 TBP) was dispatched from her permanent salvage station at Galle, Sri Lanka, to the assistance of Geared Bulk Carrier "AMBER L" (25,955 GRT – 47,282 DWT) fully laden with 46,000 tons of manganese ore, immobilized due to engine problems about 600 miles south-east of Sri Lanka.
On 21 July the "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" arrived at the casualty's position and towage commenced towards Colombo. During the towage the tug master was instructed by the "AMBER L" Owners to proceed to Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, instead of Colombo.
On 28 July, the convoy arrived safely at Tricomalee where the "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" assisted the casualty to anchor at the indicated position (inner anchorage) providing subsequently stand-by services. The "TSAVLIRIS UNTIY" demobilized to her permanent station on 30 July.
- Bulk Carrier "NAVIOS KYPROS"
On 9 June the Handymax Bulk Carrier "Navios Kypros" (31,169 GT - 55,000 DWT), fully laden with general cargo, immobilized due to main engine problems about 600 miles south of Dutch Harbor - Aleutian Islands,Pacific ocean. On 12 June Tsavliris Salvage dispatched the salvage tug "De Zhou" (16,500 BHP – 205 BP) from Shanghai to her assistance. The salvage operation was completed succesfully on 17 July.
The S/T "De Zhou" arrived at the casualty scene on 22 June and towage commenced to Pusan, South Korea the next day. After 20 days and a distance of 3,200 miles (average speed of 7 knots), the convoy arrived safely at Pusan on 11 July. Following Port Authorities' instructions, the "Navios Cyprus" anchored at anchorage No.5 with the assistance of the S/T "De Zhou", the port tug "Haeryong Soz" and a pilot. The "De Zhou" anchored close to the casualty providing standby services.
The scheduled berthing of the "Navios Kypros" on 12, 13 and 14 July was postponed due to adverse weather conditions caused by the passing typhoon "Chan Hom". On 15 July the weather improved appreciably and the vessel berthed at "Orient Repair Yard" with the assistance of four port tugs and a pilot. The "De Zhou" remained on standby at anchorage No. 4 ready in all respects should any assistance be required due to the typhoon "Nangka" which was passing by Pusan, at a distance of 200 miles.
Salvage services terminated on 17 July when the "Nangka" typhoon subsided and S/T "De Zhou" demobilized to Shanghai arriving on 19 July after a six-week round voyage.
- Motor Tanker "LADY M"
On 13 May 2015, the Aframax Tanker "Lady M" (GT 61,991, DWT 115,418), laden with about 93,000 metric tons of low sulphur fuel oil, immobilized about 500 nautical miles south of Azores due to a fire in the main electrical panel. On 14 May the S/T "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" was mobilized from her permanent salvage station at Ponta Delgada, Azores to the assistance of "Lady M".
On 16 May the "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" arrived at the scene of casualty and towage commenced towards Las Palmas later on that day. The tow arrived at the Gran Canaria area on 27 May. A skeleton team boarded the casualty by helicopter to prepare the vessel for inspection. A detailed Tsavliris Salvage Plan was approved by the Harbour Master. After all necessary Spanish Maritime Administration's Surveyor Team inspections, the entry permission was granted by the Maritime Coordination Center.
On 31 May the vessel entered Spanish territorial waters, proceeded to Las Palmas port and, berthed alongside at ''Leon Y Castillo Maciente'' container terminal with the assistance of four port tugs. The "Lady M" was then supplied with electricity from portable diesel driven generators provided by the Salvors.
On 1 June the vessel was shifted at "Reina Sofia" berth as well as the "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" in order to provide stand-by and safety services. The supply of inert gas to the cargo tanks from a portable shore Inert Gas Generator (IGG) commenced together with the supply of steam to the cargo tanks heating coils by a Steam Generator in order to bring temperatures to a safe level. The heavy portable equipment was airlifted from Holland to the Canary Islands by cargo plane. The cargo was later assessed by a chemist team and found to be safe in all the circumstances and at no risk of becoming lost or damaged. Demobilization of personnel, crafts and equipment commenced on 12 June 2015.
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- Containership "MONTEVIDEO EXPRESS"
On Monday 20 April 2015, the S/T "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" (9,600 BHP - 121 TBP) was dispatched from her berth at Ponda Delgada, Azores, to provide holding assistance of the Containership "Montevideo Express" (GR 66,058 – DWT 68,131) which arrived under tow by the "AHT Boulder". The "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" took over the tow later on the day whilst the "AHT Boulder" proceeded to port for bunkers' replenishment. After completion of the bunkering, the tow was handed over to "AHT Boulder".
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- Chemical Tanker "FT ODIN"
On 6 March 2015, the Chemical/Products Tanker "FT Odin" (GT 2,600, DWT 3,471), experienced mechanical failure and was adrift 12 miles south south west of Kythira island, Greece. The vessel was in ballast en route from Augusta, Italy, to Port Said, Egypt. Tsavliris Salvage were contracted to provide salvage assistance.
Salvage tug "Christos XVIII" (2,366 BHP, 32 TBP) sailed from Souda, Crete to the assistance of "FT Odin". Due to gale conditions prevailing in the area, the casualty was drifting towards the shore. In the meantime, the passing Chemical/Product tanker "Medkem Three" (GT 2,657, DWT 3,742) provided stand by services and
endeavored to connect up in order to prevent the casualty from grounding. The "FT Odin" managed to anchor but experienced significant dragging of both anchors. Upon arrival at casualty's position the salvage tug "Christos XVIII" established towage connection with "FT Odin" and commenced towage to port Gulluk, Turkey. On 8 March the "FT Odin" arrived safely at Gulluk under tow.
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- Bulk Carrier "GOODFAITH"
Οn 11 February 2015, the Bulk Carrier "GOODFAITH" (GT 16,446, DWT 27,308) grounded on the north west coast of Andros island, Greece in adverse weather conditions. All 22 crew members were rescued by Puma helicopters and by Special Forces from the shore. During the incident the vessel was on passage in ballast, from Elefsis, Greece to Odessa, Ukraine. On the same day, Tsavliris Salvage were contracted to provide salvage assistance.
The S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" (6,250 BHP, 73 TBP) was mobilized from her Piraeus station and EPE (Environmental Protection Engineering S.A.) was engaged to provide environmental protection and antipollution services. The oil recovery vessel "AEGIS I" mobilized from Lavrion, Attica and arrived at Port of Gavrion, Andros, with salvage and antipollution teams onboard.
Due to adverse weather conditions prevailing in the area, the salvage team was not able to board the casualty either by sea or by land. At the same time the S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" stood by close to the casualty.
The salvage team managed to board the vessel on 15 February in order to carry out an inspection. It was reported that the engine room, the fore peak tank, and the cargo holds No 1, No 3, No 4 and No 5 were flooded, whilst cargo holds No 4, No 5 and the engine room were contaminated with fuel oil. The vessel was wedged between rocks aft and had a 12-degree list to port.
On 21 February, the weather conditions improved enabling the "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" and the "AEGIS I", to proceed to the casualty's position with a salvage team, including divers and an array of salvage equipment.
All necessary preparations were made and the pumping out of fuel oil began from the engine's room service tank to the "AEGIS I".
The removal of bunkers/pollutants was completed on 28 March. About 300 MT of fuel oil and 10 MT of diesel oil were removed. Demobilization of personnel, crafts and equipment commenced on 29 March.
- Motor Vessel "ANDROMEDA S"
On 22 January 2015, the general cargo vessel "Andromeda S" (GT 1,908, DWT 3,170 ), laden with 2,500 metric of powder ''Etibor-48'', experienced engine failure about 50 miles south east of Tarragona, Spain. The vessel was on a voyage from Bandirma, Turkey to Tarragona, Spain. Tsavliris Salvage were contracted to provide salvage assistance.
Due to prevailing adverse weather and strong currents, the vessel drifted towards the northern coast of Palma de Mallorca. Salvage tug "Marta Mata", was dispatched from Palma de Mallorca and towed the distressed vessel to Palma de Mallorca Port on 26 January.
The casualty was subsequently towed to the discharge Port of Tarragona by the tug "Charuca Silveira". On 16 February the convoy arrived safely and berthed at the discharging terminal.
- Container Vessel "LADY GAIA"
On 15 January 2015, we dispatched S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" (6,200 BHP - 73 TBP) from her Piraeus salvage station to the assistance of the general cargo vessel "LADY GAIA" (6,204 GT - 7,643 DWT) fully laden with a cargo of cement, which had become immobilized due to main engine failure north of Andros island (Kafireas straits).
The S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" arrived at the casualty position later that day, established towage connection and commenced towage towards Piraeus.
The convoy arrived at Piraeus roads the next morning (16 January) and delivered the tow to port tugs.
