Hoegh Osaka Update: Weather Playing a Key Role
Car carrier vessel Hoegh Osaka, which has been refloated after running aground last week, remains held in position at anchor on the Alpha Anchorage.
Salvors pumped water from the ship for up to 2 hours yesterday, the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said. Salvors also checked the ballast system and intend to rig another pump in the lower hold to pump into the ship’s tanks as well as overboard. No oil discharge has been reported
The weather, including high winds, continues to play a key role in the salvage operations’ timeline as salvors are forced to adjust plans around environmental conditions. Saturday’s weather conditions prevented any activity on the vessel other than to connect the third tug. The area’s weather forecast looks very poor this week, peaking at 6 p.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.
On Saturday afternoon, one of the two tugs already in place moved from her position and collided with the Hoegh Osaka. There were no injuries to personnel, but the tug received some damage and it was replaced by another tug. No pollution occurred during this incident.
According to MCA, the port is considering taking the pilot off the scene because the worsening weather will make it harder to relieve them at the end of shift, subject to discussion with the salvors. Vessel Traffic System contact will be maintained and, if necessary, a pilot could be returned to the scene.
Although it is still some way off, plans for the vessel’s return to dock continue, to ensure the discharge of cargo is done safely and access policed/restricted as appropriate, MCA said.
