Containership Refloated

A large container vessel ran aground in the Dover Strait on January 2, 2008, and has been successfully refloated.

The LT Cortesia is a large container vessel which ran aground this morning on the Varne Bank while traveling through the Dover Strait.

The vessel was refloated by three powerful tugs at high tide this evening and pulled stern first off the sand bank. The Coastguard Tug, Anglian Monarch has been on scene throughout the operation, available for any additional support if needed.

The LT Cortesia has made her way to a safe anchorage in the Downs approximately 10 miles East of Dover where she will undergo inspections overnight and tomorrow.

The Secretary Of States Representative for Salvage, Hugh Shaw said tonight, We are very pleased that the salvage operation has resulted in such a large vessel being quickly refloated and removed from a potentially very hazardous situation.

The vessel will be inspected at anchorage by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency tomorrow, as well as the vessels Classification Society Germanischer Lloyd. We will then be able to make a decision on where the vessel will go next.