Salvors Delay Hoegh Osaka Refloat

The salvage team has decided to delay the refloat of grounded car carrier vessel Hoegh Osaka.

The refloat was initially scheduled for Thursday, January 8, but salvors’ calculations revealed that more water has entered the vessel than was previously predicted, according to the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Thus, the preparation for the refloat will take longer than the weather window would allow, forcing the refloat to be postponed.

Hoegh Autoliners said the ship’s crew intentionally ran the 51,000-metric-ton vessel aground in the English Channel Saturday after it began listing following its departure from the port of Southampton, bound for Germany.

All crew were safely evacuated from the vessel.

The alternative option of securing the Hoegh Osaka will be followed and preparations for the refloat will continue when the weather allows, the U.K coastguard said.

According to Reuters, salvage experts have yet to report back on the condition of the cargo, which includes some 1,400 motor vehicles which may have shifted as the vessel listed to a near-45 degree angle.

An investigation is ongoing.