Operations List

On Thursday 8th August we dispatched salvage tug "UNICORN" to the assistance of bulk carrier "CARMEN SILVA" (16,145 GRT, 25,739 DWT), laden with about 23,300 tons of steel/general products, disabled due to main engine problems about 150 miles South East of Sur, Oman.

Salvage tug "UNICORN" arrived at the casualty's position on Sunday 11th August. Despite adverse weather conditions, towline connected and towage commenced towards Fujairah. However, our appointed agents advised that the casualty would not be allowed entry into Fujairah port due to ships congestion and also to Dubai roads due to port regulations. The alternative port for repairs was Muscat, Oman.

Once weather conditions improved, salvage tug "UNICORN" went alongside the casualty and provided fuel, fresh water, stores and provisions.

Our agent managed to obtain approval from Muscat harbour master enabling the vessel to carry out all the necessary repairs at the anchorage. Towage therefore continued towards Muscat anchorage.

On the 17th August, convoy arrived at position, about 100 miles off Muscat port, awaiting written approval from the harbour master to proceed into Oman territorial waters.

On the morning of the 18th August the second mobilized tug, "AL TOWFAN", arrived at convoy's position to assist in steering the convoy for the approach to Muscat traffic zone.

Written approval from the harbour master was received on Monday 19th August whereupon the convoy proceeded to Muscat anchorage on Tuesday 20th August.

Casualty dropped anchor at Sultan Qabous inner anchorage and tug "AL TOWFAN" went alongside for standby services during casualty's repairs. Salvage tug "UNICORN" was demobilized.

After successful repairs/sea trials, the two month service terminated on Sunday 6th October.

On Tuesday 15th October 2013, we dispatched tug "AL WAFI" from her Muscat anchorage, to the assistance of general cargo vessel "SILA" (5,688 GRT, 7,608 DWT), laden with about 6,200 MT of Indian Soybean Meal Hipro in bulk, disabled and drifting off Salalah.

Tug "AL WAFI" arrived at the casualty's position on Saturday 19th October, connected towline and towed casualty to Duqm port, Oman.

Convoy safely arrived on Wednesday 23rd October at Duqm outer anchorage, where the vessel was delivered to port tugs arranged by Contractors. The same day vessel was redelivered to her owners at Duqm shipyard berth, Oman.

On Thursday 31st October we dispatched salvage tug "ASTERIX" from Aarhus, to the assistance of bulk carrier "AGHIA MARINA" (17,428 GRT, 28,522 DWT), in ballast, immobilized due to engine problems South East of Skagen, Denmark.

Salvage tug "ASTERIX" arrived at the casualty's position in the early hours of the 1st November, connected towline and proceeded towards Wismar. Tug "HUNTER" was dispatched on the 1st November to provide steering services for the narrows in the Great Belt. A rendez-vous point between the two tug masters was agreed north of Sjaellands Odde.

Convoy arrived at the Outer Roads Anchorage Wismar on the 2nd November. On the 3rd November, casualty proceeded, with the assistance of pilot and 3 port tugs, to berth No.7 Wismar port. Casualty safely redelivered to her owners same day.

On 2nd November 2013, bulk carrier "ACHILLEAS" (22,953 GRT, 35,458 DWT), laden with 26,250MT of Argentine extracted hipro soya bean meal in bulk, was disabled following engine room fire about 350 nautical miles SSW of Las Palmas. The incident occurred whilst the vessel was en route from port San Lorenzo (Argentina) to port Lattakia (Syria).

AHT "FAIRMOUNT ALPINE" (16000BHP, 200TBP) was dispatched from Cadiz to render assistance. The M/T "MARIOS" (5000DWT) was contracted to provide stand by services to "ACHILLEAS" until the arrival of "FAIRMOUNT ALPINE".

On the 6th November, "FAIRMOUNT ALPINE" arrived at the casualty's position and commenced towards Europa Point. Once convoy arrived off Ceuta, tow was handed over to S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" (6200BHP, 73TBP) and sailed towards Lattakia.

During the towage from Ceuta towards East Mediterranean convoy experienced extreme weather conditions north of the Algerian Coast resulting in the breaking of the chafing chain and subsequent loss of towline.

The "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" remained standing by and circumstances determined the T/B "FALISCA" (8000BHP-105BP) be contracted. Drifting of the casualty continued towards Galite Island, Tunisia, and was about 1 nautical mile away when ship's master was instructed to prepare both anchors to avoid possible grounding. Casualty anchored and drift halted about 800 metres from rocky coast.

Attempts to connect towline by "FALISCA" failed due to adverse weather conditions. For safety reasons the AHTS "VOS THALASSA" (abt 6000 BHP, 65TBP) was contracted. . The delayed arrival of "VOS THALASSA" occurred on 25th November following which the conditions improved significantly allowing for her towline to be connected. The T/B "FALISCA" was released and towage by "VOS THALASSA" commenced with "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" escorting the convoy.

On the 3rd December, the convoy arrived off South Peloponnese. Provisions were delivered to "ACHILLEAS" by S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" and tow was handed over to her after bunkering.

The convoy arrived at Lattakia on the 15th December and on the same day the "ACHILLEAS" was berthed.

On 23rd December, cargo discharging was successfully completed and towage commenced towards Cyprus. Salvage services were successfully terminated on the 31st December 2013 at Limassol.

On Saturday 30th November 2013, Passenger Cruise "OCEAN COUNTESS" (16,800 GRT, 3062 DWT) sustained an on board fire while safely moored adjacent to motor tanker "HAMILTON" at Chalkis Shipyard. Tug "ALEXANDER 3" and anti-pollution vessel "AEGIS" mobilized from Piraeus to her assistance.

The following day Tsavliris salvage team, T/B "ALEXANDER 3" and "AEGIS" arrived at casualty's position and began combating the fire with "AEGIS" deploying oil booms at the starboard side of the casualty. Local tug "EVRIPOS III" also deployed to provide support services.

The fire was completely extinguished on Saturday 7th December. Tug "ALEXANDER 3" was released on Monday 9th December and anti-pollution vessels "AEGIS" and tug "EVRIPOS III" provided standby services.

On the 17th December bunker/lubricant removal was completed and "AEGIS" cast off from "OCEAN COUNTESS", proceeded to "OCEAN MAJESTY" and transferred the fuel. Upon completing the pumping out of water accumulated due to fire-fighting, the starboard list was corrected and with the vessel safely moored, services were terminated on the 18th December.

Containership "HANJIN ITALY" (GT 114,140 - DWT 122,960) laden with 4,500 containers, was involved in a significant collision with "LNG AL GHARRAFA"off Kusu Island, Singapore Straits. As a consequence the vessel sustained hull damages by way of cargo hold No 4 and 5 which in turn led to water ingress, some containers being damaged and others falling off the vessel and landing on the "AL GHARRAFA". Tsavliris was engaged to project manage the anti-pollution services. The operation ended successfully.

On Monday 23rd January, 2012, we dispatched salvage tug "HELLAS" to the assistance of Bulk Carrier "PEGASUS" (GRT 17,639, DWT 23,028), in ballast, drifting about 40 nautical miles South East of Falmouth, following main engine damage.

Casualty was towed safely to Falmouth Roads - arrived on Tuesday 24th January, 2012.

On Friday 27th January, 2012, we dispatched salvage tug "TECK" from Abidjan, to the assistance of Bunkering Tanker "CHEMICAL PROGRESS" (4,173 GT, 7,606 DWT), drifting about 80 miles South of Abidjan, following main engine damage.

Casualty was towed safely to Abidjan (Coste D'Ivoire outer anchorage) – arrived on 30th January, 2012.

On 12th February, 2012, we dispatched T/B "HERMES" to the assistance of passenger/tourist vessel "DIANA", which was grounded at Drepanon – Rion - Patras. On same day vessel was successfully refloated and safely towed to the northern port of Patras.

On the 9th February, 2012, we dispatched our station keeping salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from Piraeus to the assistance of Bulk Carrier "ALEX KING", following engine failure at position Lat: 37-43.00 N Long: 028-28.00 E, about 5 nautical miles Northeast of Kea Island. On same day S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" arrived at the scene of the casualty and connected the tow line.

 Convoy proceeded to Syros anchorage, arrived safely on the 10th February, 2012. S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" provided standby services alongside casualty, and safely redelivered her to her owners on the 13th February, 2012.

On the 18th February, 2012, we dispatched our station keeping salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from Piraeus for the towage of chemical tanker "GERAKI"(19,081 GT, 35,652 DWT), from Psachna, Evoia, to Piraeus. S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" arrived on the 19th February and went alongside "GERAKI" to connect up and await towing permission to be granted.

 Towing permission granted by authorities on 20th February, S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" commenced towage as leading tug and T/B "KARAPIPERIS 15" connected to the stern as steering tug. Convoy proceeded to Piraeus. With S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" leading the convoy, they arrived safely on 23rd February. T/B "IFESTOS II" made fast to the stern while "KARAPIPERIS 15" escorted. Chemical tanker "GERAKI" safely arrived at Elefsis anchorage and S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" demobilized to her salvage station at Piraeus.

On Monday 2nd April, 2012, TSAVLIRIS dispatched tugs "DOMINGO B" and "ARGENTINO 1" from Buenos Aires and La Plata respectively, to the assistance of Bulk Carrier "SAMJOHN LIBERTY" (38,846 GRT, 74,761 DWT), laden with 47,240 MT of soya bean meal in bulk, which had grounded at about 290km Rio Parana.

The Coastguard ordered several vessels to remain anchored at Common Zone for as long as the "SAMJOHN LIBERTY" was grounded as she was obstructing the channel.

On the 2nd April TSAVLIRIS salvage master arrived on the scene of the casualty and the tugs arrived on the 3rd April. Attempts to refloat the vessel were immediately undertaken but with no success. A third and more powerful tug boat, "YAGAN", was dispatched from Buenos Aires on the 4th April, and arrived the next day.

The casualty was successfully refloated on the 5th April with the assistance of the three tugs and anchored at San Pedro Roads for the mandatory post grounding inspection by the Coastguard. Following clearance by the authorities, the convoy proceeded down river and arrived at Zona Comun. Casualty safely redelivered to her owners on Thursday 5th April, 2012.

On Wednesday 25th April, 2012, we dispatched S/T "VB ARTICO" from Las Palmas to the assistance of M/V "REINA CHRISTINA" (GT 10,779, DWT 17,825), laden with about 12,600 CBM of logs and sawn timber, which had immobilized due to engine failure approximately 30 n. miles West of Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

Casualty was towed to Casablanca roads but, due to unavailability of berth for repairs, casualty was towed to off Ceuta, where the tow was handed over to S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS", which towed her to Bizerte, Tunisia.

"MEGAS ALEXANDROS" had been mobilized from Piraeus transporting casualty's heavy machinery spares.

Convoy safely arrived at Bizerte roads on the 13th May, 2012. Casualty was towed by local port tugs to CMR shipyard where she was redelivered to her owners on the 15th May, 2012.