The drama for the Hoegh Osaka is slowing coming to a close with the vessel finally making it’s way back to Southampton port.
In the evening of the 22nd January, the huge roll on/roll off vessel was safely delivered alongside of Berth 101, Southampton – this coming some twenty days after the vessel was deliberately grounded by it’s pilot and captain after developing a list shortly after it’s departure.
Salvage company, Svitzer, managed to decrease the massive list that the vessel was on, from approx 52 degrees to just a mere 5 degrees. The list was reduced by pumping the 3000 tonnes of water that had entered the ship via a crack in the hull.
The owners of the vessel, Hoegh Autoliners, have released a statement expressing their gratitude for all involved in the incident.
“We are extremely grateful that our vessel is now safely moored after close to three weeks,” the statement said. “When the list had developed, difficult decisions were made by the pilot and master in the Solent on the night of January 3. Without those decisions we might not have had the vessel alongside.
“A lot of work remains, physical as well as legal, but the main thing is that the crew is safe, that no pollution to the environment has occurred, that the traffic in and out of the port has been largely uninterrupted, and the cargo soon can be accessed so our customers can get some clarity in their business continuity plans.
“We thank everyone who have been involved in the challenging rescue and salvage operation.
“We have been impressed with the skill and efficiency of all those involved, the Secretary of State Representative and his team, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the RNLI, The seaman’s church organisations, our main insurers Gard, Southampton’s Port Authorities, ship managers Wallem and of course, Svitzer Salvage. All the interested parties have co-operated closely under the auspices of the SOSREP which illustrates the effectiveness of the world leading single authority approach in place in the UK.”
Surveys will now be carried out on the vessel itself along with it’s precious cargo. Discharge operations have commenced.
Image credit: MCA
