Operations List
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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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.
