Operations List

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.

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.

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 23rd December, 2011, we dispatched our salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from her Piraeus salvage station, to the assistance of "LNG DELTA" (GRT 88,936, DWT 75,172), fully laden with LNG, disabled about 130 miles, South West of Pylos.

S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" arrived at rendezvous position (Lat 35-37N, Long 022-11E) on the 24th December and escorted the vessel to Northern Hydra for repairs. Upon completion of repairs on the 26th December casualty was escorted to Piraeus roads, whereupon "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" was released.

On Monday 19th December, 2011, we dispatched salvage tug "JIMMY SMITH" from Honolulu, to the assistance of Combined Chemical & Oil Tanker "COMMENCEMENT" (GT 8,542, DWT 13,090), laden with about 11,500 M/T Xylene, disabled and drifting about 1,200 nautical miles East of Honolulu.

On the 25th December, "JIMMY SMITH" arrived at casualty's position, successfully connected tow line and commenced towage to Honolulu.

Convoy arrived safely on the 31st December, 2011, at Anchorage C, Honolulu, and tug "JIMMY SMITH" provided standby services. On the 4th January, 2012, casualty shifted to Berth 29, with tug assistance for repairs. The casualty was safely redelivered to her owners on 14th January, 2012.

On Tuesday 22nd November, 2011, we dispatched our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS", from her Ponta Delgada salvage station, to the assistance of the laden general cargo vessel "SUNFLOWER E" (GRT 8,604, DWT 13,525) disabled about 800 miles South East Hamilton, Bermuda. During the towage to her discharging port, Port Everglades (USA), casualty was supplied with MGO and an underwater diving inspection was carried out by tug's diver.

Convoy arrived safely at Port Everglades on 13th December, 2011. Upon completion of discharge, "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" towed casualty safely to Freeport, Bahamas for repairs. Casualty was redelivered to her owners on Friday 23rd December, 2011, and "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" demobilized to salvage station.

On the 18th November we dispatched our tug "HERMES", from her station in Patras, to the assistance of general cargo ship "FGM COMMANDER" (GRT 6,819, DWT 8,978), laden with about 7,500 MT of steel products, following her grounding on a reef South-West of Hydra.

Salvage tug "ALEXANDER 3", anti-pollution vessel "AEGIS 1"and lightening vessel M/V "JOANNA VI" were also mobilized for the operation. About 650 MT of cargo was transferred to lightening vessel "JOANNA VI". Both tugs successfully refloated her on Wednesday 23rd November.

The casualty proceeded to a nearby anchorage for an underwater inspection. Bunkers were transferred back to the "FGM COMMANDER" from the "AEGIS 1". "HERMES" returned to Patras on the 23rd November.

Tsavliris salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" was dispatched to the "FGM COMMANDER" to relieve "ALEXANDER 3". "IFAISTOS 2" was engaged to act as steering tug for the towage to Eleusis, while "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" was the leading tug.

The convoy arrived safely on the 3rd December and the "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" remained on stand by near the casualty. The vessel was shifted to a safe berth at Elefsis port and redelivered to her owners on Friday 9th December.

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.

On the 21st September we mobilized tug boat "COMARCO OSPREY" from Mombasa, to the assistance of M/V "PACIFIC EXPRESS" (17,465, DWT 24,492) fully laden with steel products. The "PACIFIC EXPRESS" was attacked by pirates on the 20th September about 300 nautical miles East of Mombasa. The vessel managed to evade the hijacking, however, she was on fire. All 26 crew abandoned the vessel and were rescued by the Italian warship "ANDREA DORIA".

Tug boat "COMARCO OSPREY" with armed guards arrived on site, on the 23rd September at noon. After inspection the tug crew reported that the entire accommodation block was completely burned. Same day the "KMC ELAND" was fixed and sailed from Mombasa with armed guards for the transportation of the rescued crew from the "ANDREA DORIA" to Mombasa. On the 24th September, the "KMC ELAND" took all the "PACIFIC EXPRESS" crew from "ANDREA DORIA" to Mombasa.

In the meantime, due to prevailing currents the "PACIFIC EXPRESS" was drifting to the North and there was concern that she would enter Somalian waters and/or go ground. The "COMARCO OSPREY" connected her towline and commenced towage to Mombasa.

After the rescued crew disembarked from the "KMC ELAND" at Mombasa, the tug sailed immediately to assist the "COMARCO OSPREY" in the towage to Mombasa. On the 27th September we contracted tug "FALCON" from Mombasa to go to the casualty's location to transfer bunkers to the other two tugs. "KMC ELAND's" tow rope parted on the 28th September. Following bunkering from "COMARCO FALCON" on same day, "FALCON" then connected the tow line to casualty and took "KMC ELAND" place.

A salvage team consisting of a salvage master, salvage officer, naval architect and salvage engineer was dispatched to Mombasa. The convoy safely arrived at Mombasa on the 30th September under tow of "COMARCO OSPREY" and "COMARCO FALCON" with "KMC ELAND" escorting. Pilot and additional harbour tug "KIBOKO II" brought the casualty into K anchorage (man power was provided as the casualty was unmanned) where she anchored, with "COMARCO OSPREY" alongside on standby.

Due to congestion at Mombasa the casualty was delayed entry to berth. On the 2nd November, 2011, "PACIFIC EXPRESS", with the assistance of 2 tugs, moored alongside at No. 5 berth. After all cargo was discharged and the casualty was ballasted, the vessel was prepared for ocean towage to demolition yard. Salvage services terminated on the 18th November, 2011.

On Monday 12th September 2011, we dispatched salvage tug "SCULPTOR" (5,650 BHP / 73 TBP), from Santos, Brazil, to the assistance of LPG Tanker "OPTIMUS" (GRT 5,691, DWT 7,734) in ballast, disabled about 240 nautical miles South of Santos following engine failure.

Casualty was towed safely to Paranagua outer anchorage on the 15th September. On Friday the 14th October tug "SB MOSSORO" (3,100 BHP, 40 TBP) was dispatched from Rio de Janeiro to tow the vessel from Paranagua Roads to Sao Franscisco du Sul. Casualty arrived safely on 16th October.

On Friday 22nd July 2011, we dispatched Salvage Tug "STEVNS BATTLER" (5,361 BHP / 70 TBP) to the assistance of Bulk Carrier "NAVIOS SAGITTARIUS" (GRT: 38,849, DWT: 75,756), laden with 73,419 tonnes of iron ore pellets, ran aground on the Tonneberg Banke, about 23.5 miles east of Frederikshavn, Denmark, while on passage from Finland to China. Salvage team arrived on the 22nd July and prepared refloating/salvage plan - incorporating environmental and safety measures.

Sister salvage tug "STEVNS BREAKER" (5,361 BHP / 70 TBP) arrived at the casualty's position on Sunday 24th July and connected forward. Lightering vessel "MPP SHIELD" and crane barge "SANNE A" were also mobilized.

On the 26th July, salvage plan was approved by authorities. On the 28th July, vessel refloated following lightening of about 3,000 M/T of cargo, by pressurizing and with tugs assistance. Casualty shifted to a nearby anchorage for detailed underwater inspection, bottom repairs and reloading of cargo. The Danish environmental protection agency vessel "METTE MILJOE" was also in the vicinity monitoring the situation.

Further to a detailed underwater inspection divers confirmed significant bottom damages. During a period lasting three months temporary repairs were performed on the casualty's bottom at a relatively sheltered anchorage, these included:

- Cargo being shifted to access the manholes to deballast tanks 1,2,3 port

- Subcontracting HYDREX to provide divers for the temporary repairs of the shell plating penetrations to the casualty – about 25 divers were working round the clock to complete repairs

- Cargo back loading from ship-to-ship

- Repairs of cracks and fractures

- Prefabricating sections at shipyard and fitting by way of double bottom no. 1 and no.2 portside

Despite bad weather spells all temporary repairs were completed on 13th October and casualty resumed passage (by own means) to her destination, China.

On the 11th September 2011, we dispatched S/T "TSAVLIRIS UNITY", from her salvage station at Sri Lanka, for the towage of BC "EAGLE" (GT 29,905, DWT 52,000), fully laden with bulk phosphate rock, from Hobyo anchorage on Somali coast to Colombo. The "EAGLE" had been attacked by pirates last January while crossing the Gulf of Aden with it's 24 Philippine crew and had been taken hostage / kidnapped for nearly 8 months. The vessel, upon payment of ransom, was finally released by the pirates in August, in damaged condition.

The S/T "TSAVLIRIS UNITY", with all Russian crew and armed guards, sailed from her salvage station to Hobyo anchorage, via Colombo for refuelling and hardening. "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" complied with all BMP4 - Best Management Practices for Protection Against Somali Based Piracy. The "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" arrived at Hobyo anchorage on the 23rd September. Upon delivery of supplies (fresh water, marine gas oil and provisions) to the BC "EAGLE", the towline was connected, and during the afternoon the towage towards Colombo commenced. The convoy arrived safely at Colombo on the 11th October. S/T "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" covered the 3,500 mile round trip - mostly within the "hot" piracy area.

On Monday 12th September 2011, we dispatched salvage tug "MERCURIO" (2,400 BHP / 35 TBP), from Aveiro, to the assistance of LPG Tanker "GAS ARCTIC" (GRT 2,985, DWT 3,590) in laden condition, disabled about 25 nautical miles North West of Leixos following main engine failure.

Casualty was towed safely to Aveiro, Portugal – where she berthed safely alongside at 18.30hrs on Tuesday 13th September 2011.

On the 22nd February 2010, we dispatched our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" from her Ponta Delgada (Azores Islands) salvage station, to the assistance of the pallet carrier/side loader cargo vessel M/V "MARGIT GORTHON" (GT 12,750, DWT 14,240) laden with about 10,000 metric tonnes of wood pulp / brown "KRAFT", immobilized about 900 nautical miles North West of Azores, due to ingress of water in engine room, resulting in black out.

During the voyage from Ponta Delgada to the casualty's position "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" encountered adverse weather conditions with gale force winds, high seas and heavy swell of up to 6 metres. "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" arrived at the scene of the casualty on the 28th February 2010. Emergency towing lights were installed on board and the vessel was supplied with provisions. On the same day the towage began towards El Ferrol, North West Spain.

From the 2nd until the 6th March, the convoy encountered gale force winds, very high seas and heavy swells, resulting in heavy rolling and pitching of the tug and tow. On the morning of 8th March, the steel wire pennant parted, and attempts to reconnect commenced immediately. However, due to prevailing long swells, attempts were aborted. On the 9th March, swell eased and tow connection was re-established.

Towage to El-Ferrol resumed and the convoy arrived safely on the 17th March. All necessary arrangements were made by the salvors, for the casualty to proceed, with the assistance of port tug, to Navantia repair yard for repairs. The same day, our dispatched salvage team commenced the dewatering of the engine room and the pollutants were transferred into MARPOL trucks for disposal. The dewatering was completed on the morning of the 17th March, and the vessel was safely delivered to owners.