ASA Member Responds in Gwadar, Pakistan
On January 20, a member of the American Salvage Association (ASA) successfully refloated a bulk carrier that ran aground near Gwadar Port in Pakistan. Led by their Salvage Master, ASA’s member mobilized a salvage team that included a naval architect and dive team, along with a high-horsepower tug, to refloat the grounded vessel carrying 50,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer. The crew safely refloated the 623 ft bulk carrier during high tide without having to lighter bunkers or cargo. The vessel and cargo were delivered to its owners with no damage to the environment.
T&T Bisso Refloats Grounded Vessel
T&T Bisso successfully refloated a bulk carrier that ran aground near Gwadar Port in Pakistan. Led by Salvage Master V. Seva, T&T Bisso mobilized a salvage team that included a naval architect and dive team, along with a high-horsepower tug, to refloat the grounded vessel carrying 50,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer. The crew safely refloated the 623.3-ft bulk carrier during high tide without having to lighter bunkers or cargo. The vessel and cargo were delivered to its owners with no damage to the environment. (www.ttbisso.com)
Norwegian Warship Searches for Pirates
On the morning of 12 November, east in the Gulf of Aden, two merchant vessels were attacked by pirates. There are no reports of casualties. The first attack was on MV Full Strong, a Hong Kong flagged 721.8 ft long Bulk Carrier. MV Full Strong was approached by pirates in two skiffs and a mother skiff but managed to evade the attack. Shortly after this attack, in almost the same position, MV Fengli 8, a Panama flagged 738 ft Bulk Carrier was attacked in two fast attack skiffs and one mother skiff. The master and crew were alert and immediately activated anti piracy measures (according to MSCHOA Best Management Practices) and, with speed and evasive action, they were able to avoid being hijacked.
Cargo Ship Re-Floated Near Baltimore
The 800 ft bulk carrier CSL Argosy that was aground in Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore re-floated at approximately 10 p.m. Jan. 19. The ship is safely anchored near Annapolis, Md., while the crew manually inspects all areas of the ship. The results of these inspections will be reviewed by the Coast Guard. At this time there are no signs of damage or pollution. The CSL Argosy re-floated after a total of approxiamtley 19,300 metric tons of iron ore were removed and transferred to barges. The ship and its crew transited with tug boat assistance to an anchorage near Annapolis. The Unified Command established to respond to the grounded ship was a collective group comprised of the Coast Guard, State of Maryland, the ship's operator and VShips.
