Multraship Completes Dredger Salvage

Multraship Salvage has completed the lifting of the 79m trailer suction dredger Thor R, which sank in the mouth of the Danish port of Esjberg on September 26. The Thor R sank after collision with a RoRo vessel, and subsequently capsized under water, partially impeding traffic into the port. The wreck removal operation was complicated by strong tides, which allowed only 4 hours of diving time per day, and soft sand bottom, into which the wreck continually sank.

Multraship managing director Leendert Muller says, "We were awarded this job in Denmark because we had both the expertise and the right heavy lift equipment available. It has been a tough job, using our salvage crew and diving teams, plus the 1,500 tonne lift floating crane Matador III and two tugs."

The vessel was lifted late Sunday 24 October and subsequently transported into the port of Esjberg by the sheerlegs and tugs yesterday. The sheerlegs will now re-rig the slings in order to place the vessel in Esjberg's small dry dock where full repairs will be made.

Multraship is a leading independent Dutch towage and salvage company. Run by the Muller family, it draws on more than 85 years of experience. Multraship's core operations include salvage, wreck removal, harbour towage, sea and river towage services to the dredging and offshore industries and support for inland navigation. It operates and manages a fleet of 26 tugs, salvage vessels, floating sheer legs and other craft equipped with modern towage, salvage and fire-fighting equipment and manned by experienced and highly-trained masters and crew.