Operations List

On Thursday 3rd May, 2012, we dispatched our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS", from her Ponta Delgada salvage station, to the assistance of General Cargo Vessel "ZEALAND BEATRIX" (GT 9,514, DWT 13,089) laden with about 12,000MT bulk calcium ammonium nitrate, disabled about 250 miles NE of Ponta Delgada.

Convoy arrived safely at Ponta Delgada on the 6th May, 2012.

On Friday 13th July, 2012, we dispatched our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS", from her Ponta Delgada salvage station, to the assistance of the general cargo vessel "FARUK KAAN" (GT 7,738, DWT 9,370), laden with about 7,300 M/T of steel products, disabled about 700 nautical miles northwest of Cape Verde Islands.

Convoy arrived safely at Mindelo outer anchorage under tow on the 25th July, 2012.

On the 29th July the vessel was shifted to Mindelo inner anchorage and was redelivered to her owners.

On Wednesday 1st August, we dispatched salvage tug "DONG HAI JIU 111" to the assistance of bulk carrier "BET PRINCE" (GT 82,830, DWT 163,554), laden with iron ore, disabled about 100 nautical miles south east of Zhoushan due to technical problems.

"DONG HAI JIU 111" arrived at the casualty's position in the early hours of the 2nd August, but due to adverse weather conditions (typhoon "SAOLA") the towline could not be established until 8am and thence towage commenced towards Zhoushan. Under the continuing severe weather conditions the convoy arrived off Xiazhimen anchorage (Zhoushan) on the 3rd August. Due to the risky circumstances we mobilized salvage tug "DONG HAI JIU 116" to assist with the controlling of the tow prior to proceeding to anchorage.

On the 4th August "BET PRINCE" was brought to the east of Putuoshan Island and anchored by the two tugs. "DONG HAI JIU 116" was released and returned to her station, whilst the "DONG HAI JIU 111" and locally contracted tug 'FENGHE 8006' remained nearby the "BET PRINCE" providing standby services and transferring technicians to try to restore the vessels power.

By Monday 6th August, the threat of another typhoon, "HAIKUI", hindered salvage operations further and the crew's safety became an issue. On Tuesday 7th August, tug "FENGHE 8006" was directed by authorities to shelter, whilst "DONG HAI JIU 111" remained on standby. Preparations began to ensure maximum safety for the passing of forthcoming typhoon "HAIKUI" and Tsavliris salvage master explored the area by helicopter.

Due to the weather, the "BET PRINCE" dragged her anchor, so her second anchor was dropped, but in spite of this, dragging continued – there was a risk of her grounding as she was heading towards the rocky shoreline. "DONG HAI JIU 111" was instructed to attempt an emergency tow line connection; however this was too dangerous, therefore she stayed near the casualty to monitor the situation continuously.

After the typhoon "HAIKUI" passed, the "FENGHE 8006" proceeded to the casualty's site and resumed her standby duties. On the 9th August the "DONG HAI JIU 111" connected the towline to the casualty and electricity was restored on the "BET PRINCE" – two injured crew members of the casualty were transferred ashore for medical attention, while repairs continued on the "BET PRINCE". The typhoon caused significant damage to the casualty's accommodation and deck.

Whilst works continued on the casualty the two salvage tugs also protected the vessel from local traffic as the "BET PRINCE's" condition/location posed/ created a risk of collision with other vessels. The "BET PRINCE's" anchors and anchor chains had become entangled due to the severe weather and a floating crane was brought in to untangle them under the instruction of our salvage master. The casualty was towed from a depth line of 20 metres to deeper water to avoid any further damage. Provisions and marine gas oil were supplied to the casualty, as well as a portable air compressor and a diesel driven generator to provide electricity.

On the Tuesday 21st August there was a threat of two further typhoons, "TEMBIN" and "BOLAVEN". Time was of the essence as the typhoon "BOLAVEN" was headed directly for the casualty's position and approval from authorities to enter the port was being denied. Preparations were made for the "BET PRINCE" to be towed to North anchorage to shelter her from the typhoon, in the event port approval not be granted. The crew's safety and the environment were of paramount importance.

The casualty was finally granted entry to Zhoushan port on the 24th August and was towed by port tugs and pilots to Terminal 5 on the 25th August for shelter due to the incoming typhoons "BOLAVEN" and "TEMBIN". Standby services were provided at berth No. 5 by port tugs, salvage tugs and pilots until the typhoons had passed.

Casualty was safely redelivered to her owners on the Thursday 30th August.

On Wednesday 19th September 2012 we dispatched our salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from her Piraeus salvage station for the towage of bulk carrier "DELOS RANGER" (31,130 GRT, 54,051 DWT), laden with 36,900 M/T (grain), disabled due to stern tube problem from Suez Gulf, Egypt to Aqaba, Jordan.

On Saturday 22nd September, salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" arrived alongside "DELOS RANGER" and connected up. On same day convoy departed Suez anchorage and proceeded to Aqaba. The convoy encountered bad weather and strong currents during the towage. Convoy safely arrived on Wednesday 26th September 2012.

"MEGAS ALEXANDROS" provided standby services to the "DELOS RANGER" until the 8th October 2012 and demobilized to Piraeus.

On Wednesday 26th September 2012, the General Cargo Vessel "EVERTON" of GT 6,714 and DWT 8,874, fully laden with containers, was immobilized (with blackout) due to fire in the engine room and in the accommodation in the Mozambique Channel, approximately 180 nautical miles east of Beira. The same day LOF (2011) with SCOPIC invoked was signed between owners/managers of the "EVERTON" and Tsavliris Salvage (International) Ltd.

On the 27th the Guard Utility Vessel "FLEUR DU CAP" was chartered and proceeded to casualty's position to render standby safety services until the arrival of a suitable tug. On the 28th the nearest available tug "TERAS HYDRA" was chartered from Durban and sailed towards the casualty.

Due to prevailing winds, swell and strong currents in the Mozambique Channel, casualty was drifting in a southerly direction at about 3 knots.

On the 29th September the "FLEUR DU CAP" arrived at the casualty's position whilst a salvage team of six persons (which had been flown in) left Beira by the contracted Fishing Vessel "VEGAS 12".

The salvage team arrived and boarded the "EVERTON" on the 1st October, the vessel was supplied with water and provisions for her crew, and the salvage team immediately went about reinstating the e-power.

The salvage team continued to improve the sustainability of the e-systems on board the "EVERTON", the emergency generator was successfully started up providing lights on the starboard side, and navigation lights were reinstated, etc. Due to the bad weather salvage tug "TERAS HYDRA" did not arrive until the 4th October 2012, and came alongside to provide water and food supplies. Afterwards "TERAS HYDRA" connected the tow line to the "EVERTON" and the convoy proceeded towards Beira.

The convoy arrived at Beira outer anchorage on the 7th October 2012 where "EVERTON" dropped anchor and "TERAS HYDRA" anchored at a close distance awaiting authorization for port entry.

Due to the port congestion at Beira and no available slot in the congested terminal, the decision was made for "EVERTON" to be towed to Durban with a skeleton salvage team onboard the "TERAS HYDRA".

Following preparations to the "EVERTON", the "TERAS HYDRA" connected to the casualty and began towage to Durban on the 14th October. Prior to arrival at Durban roads the towing chain parted and the casualty was reconnected by the emergency tow line.

Convoy arrived at Durban roads on the 20th October, however attempts to enter port were abandoned due currents and swell; therefore "EVERTON" dropped anchor with "TERAS HYDRA" alongside.

On the 25th October "EVERTON" safely moored at Dormac berth and was provided with shore power and access to firefighting water.

After over one month of salvage services "EVERTON" was safely redelivered to her owners on Monday 29th October 2012.

On the 14th October Tsavliris Salvage Group was contracted to render services to Product Tanker "LIQUID SILVER" (GRT 5,594, DWT 13,863), laden with over 13,000 MT of Thailand cane molasses in bulk, disabled about 150 nautical miles off Shanghai, due to main engine failure.

On the 14th October S/T "MEIJI MARU" (4,400bhp, 50tbp) was fixed from Kagoshima, south Japan. However, departure was not possible due to adverse weather from the typhoon "PAPIROON".

Under the circumstances the S/T "NEW DAE RYUK" (6,000bhp, 75tbp) was fixed from Pyeongtaek, South Korea, and dispatched to casualty's position on the 16th October. However, due to adverse weather conditions at the west coast of South Korea, the tug proceeded for shelter at Kunsan around noon on the same day.

The "MEIJI MARU" sailed from Kagoshima on the 17th October but due to adverse weather conditions she proceeded to the west coast of South Japan for shelter.

Both tugs resumed their voyage on the 18th October and proceeded to the casualty at about 10knots. The weather at casualty's position improved significantly.

The "MEIJI MARU" was released on the 19th October, whilst the "NEW DAE RYUK" continued toward the casualty's position.

The "NEW DAE RYUK" arrived at the casualty's location on the 20th October. Upon arrival the casualty was supplied with fresh water, the tow line was connected and towage proceeded towards Kunsan, South Korea.

The convoy safely arrived at Kunsan anchorage on the 25th October 2012 and "LIQUID SILVER" dropped her anchor with "NEW DAE RYUK" nearby providing standby services. Fresh water was supplied to the vessel.

On the 26th October "LIQUID SILVER", with the assistance of port tugs and pilots, berthed along at Kunsan Port. The same day the vessel was redelivered to her owners.

Tsavliris Salvage Group was engaged in salvage operations in respect of product tanker "ALFA 1" (1,648 GRT, 2,519 DWT), laden with about 2,000 MT of fuel, which capsized and sunk at Elefsis Roads on the 5th March. Tsavliris salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" was dispatched from her Piraeus salvage station, with a full salvage team, anti-pollution equipment and specialized divers on 6th March. All cargo was removed by using hot tapping. This operation was in cooperation with ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEERING SA (EPE).

TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE INTERNATIONAL LTD was contracted by the owners/managers on 4th January 2011, to salvage BC ''MOONDANCE II'' (GT 30988 DWT 56131), laden with 51,000 tonnes of coal. The vessel was aground approximately 25 miles off the coast of East Kalimatan, NE Borneo, on the south eastern edge of Karang Malalungan coral reef.

Salvage team was dispatched from Holland and Greece consisting of Salvage Master, Salvage officer, Salvage engineers, Naval architects, Divers and riggers. Permit for the salvage operation was received from the governmental authorities in Jakarta. Salvage plan was also approved. All steps were taken to ensure that risks to the environment were adequately addressed. Salvage tug was on location since 13th January 2011.

Lightening operation commenced on Wednesday 26th January 2011, into three chartered barges, totalling about 18,000 tons dwt. Vessel was successfully refloated on 30th January 2011 at 14.16hrs without incident or any pollution. Reloading of cargo from lightening barges back to casualty commenced and was completed on Tuesday 1st February 2011. Vessel was safely delivered to owners on Wednesday 2nd February, 2011. This was a major salvage operation.

On Friday 4th March 2011, we dispatched our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" from her Galle (Sri Lanka) salvage station, to the assistance of Bulk Carrier "KALISTI" (16,368 GRT, 26,151 DWT), fully laden with about 23,000 tons of white refined bagged sugar, disabled about 250 nautical miles SW off Reunion Island.

"TSAVLIRIS UNITY" called at Port Louis to take provisions, water, fuel and lubricants for the casualty.

Our salvage tug safely transited through war (piracy) risk zone - arriving at the casualty's location on the 13th March and connected up towline in adverse weather conditions. On the 16th March, when weather conditions improved, "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" went alongside "KALISTI" for the transfer of MGO, Lub Oil, fresh water and provisions, completing the transfer on the same day.

On the 17th March, we arranged a service boat from Port Louis to come out to the M/V "KALISTI" for delivery of ships stores and crew changes which was completed same day. Towage commenced in a northerly direction. As the convoy would be transiting through high-risk piracy attack areas, we engaged anti-piracy consultants for the voyage planning to minimize risk for the "KALISTI" as well as our own salvage tug.

The passage plan changed during the towage to optimize every possibility to keep risk to a minimum. During the towage, the towline parted due to adverse weather conditions. Towline was successfully re-connected and towage continued without any problems. Convoy arrived safely at Colombo roads on 10th April 2011. During the repairs of "KALISTI" at Colombo roads our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" provided stand by services.

Commencing from the 15th April, the "KALISTI" was towed by the "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" (as leading tug) and with the assistance of port tugs in and out of the port to load and unload spares. On the 22nd April, upon completion of repairs the "KALISTI" was safely redelivered to her owners. After taking on stores and provisions, replenishing bunkers etc., "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" returned to her salvage station at Galle on 12th May. This could well be the longest salvage/towage service of its kind in the Indian Ocean in recent times - over 6,500 miles round voyage – a service lasting about two months.

On the 16th March, while on passage Brazil to China, Bulk Carrier "OLIVA" (40,170 GRT, 75,208 DWT), loaded with about 65,000 tonnes of bulk soya beans, ran aground on Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha. Salvage was entrusted to TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE GROUP. Fishing Trawler "EDINBURGH" on location was chartered in by TSAVLIRIS for stand-by services, safety purposes and crew evacuation. On the 16th March 12 crew members were evacuated to the "EDINBURGH" in adverse weather conditions.

On 17th March, due to heavy swells / bad weather and the casualty's continuing deteriorating state - the Master of BC "OLIVA" advised that he wished the crew to be evacuated whereupon the remaining 10 crew members were safely rescued from the "OLIVA" by the "EDINBURGH". Simultaneously salvage tug "SMIT AMANDLA" was subcontracted by TSAVLIRIS on the 17th March – sailed from Cape Town with a ten person team of salvage and environmental experts and fully equipped with salvage/diving/anti-pollution/bird cleaning equipment.

The adverse weather continued and BC "OLIVA" began to split in way of cargo holds 6 and 7, leaking bunkers. The salvage tug arrived on scene at Nightingale Island on Monday 21st March. Salvors began a thorough review of the vessel and its tanks, and devised a response plan to the environmental issues that were emerging. Subsequently, the aft section of the BC "OLIVA" (including the bridge, engine room and superstructure) capsized and partially sank, while the forward section was heavily grounded and deteriorating.

With the swell increasing/continuing adverse weather - a refloating attempt was unlikely as the salvage team could not board the casualty. Due to the nature of the casualty's deteriorating state the main focus was to continue observing the casualty and to begin the bird cleaning following pollution of the area.

On the 22nd March all bird cleaning, pollution and rehabilitation equipment and personnel were transferred from the "SMIT AMANDLA" to the "EDINBURGH". On the 23rd March it was estimated that approximately 600+ birds (rare penguins and other birdlife) required cleaning and birdlife rehabilitation commenced. It was a priority to ensure the wildlife of the area be preserved. The after section of the casualty was completely submerged on the 27th March, while the forward section was completely open to sea and the decks were permanently awash – there were no signs of any significant oil pollution. Birdlife rehabilitation continued. In the morning of the 30th March, TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE demobilised salvage tug "SMIT AMANDLA" and she returned to Cape Town.

On Friday 1st April 2011, we dispatched S/T "KOHOH MARU" to the assistance of the Bulk Carrier "VOSTOK" (14,754 GRT, 23,524 DWT) laden with 21,250 MT Portland Cement (Clinker Type I) in bulk, disabled about 450 n.miles SE of Yokoshuka.

Due to heavy yawing of casualty and adverse weather conditions, the T/B "SHOYO MARU" was mobilized from Yokoshuka to assist in the towage as a steering tug. On the 9th April the convoy arrived safely at Shimotsu and casualty was delivered at MES Dockyard.