The Canal & River Trust has completed a year-long salvage operation for the historic sailboat White Heather, a 1926 Cornish lugger. After sinking at Gloucester Docks in 2023, the vessel, once a fishing boat and transatlantic cruiser, was successfully lifted and transported for preservation and future restoration.
The burned boxship Wan Hai 503 is currently under tow off India’s southeastern coast as salvors stabilize the vessel. Despite ongoing smoke from the holds, fire suppression efforts using foam have contained the flames. Tugs are on-site for cooling, while dewatering and alternative port options are being explored.
The Swedish Coast Guard successfully refloated the grounded bulker Ali Aykin on June 5, after it had been stranded since May 25. Investigations are underway, with one crew member detained for gross negligence. Concerns arose from a breach in a ballast tank containing 69,000 liters of fuel oil, complicating salvage efforts.
The Canadian Coast Guard has recovered tar balls near the area where the MSC Baltic III containership ran aground in Newfoundland. Initial testing suggests the oil likely came from the vessel, with no evidence of a consistent leak. Salvage efforts are ongoing to remove fuel and containers from the damaged ship.
Salvage teams in Newfoundland, Canada are working to reduce pollution risks from the grounded MSC Baltic III containership. Despite no observed pollution, dangers remain due to significant hull damage. Efforts to offload fuel and contaminants are underway, with challenges posed by the remote location and harsh weather.
Grimaldi’s Conro Grande Brasile was towed to port after a fire in the English Channel. The crew evacuated safely as salvage tugs brought the ship to Antwerp. Boskalis’ Smit unit oversaw the operation, with scorching visible near the funnel. Another fire on Grande Congo raised concerns, prompting changes in handling hazardous cargo.
The salvage team from T&T Marine Salvage and the Canadian Coast Guard are working together to assess and develop a plan for the stranded MSC Baltic III in Newfoundland, Canada. Despite challenges from weather conditions, efforts are underway to prevent potential oil leaks and pollution, ensuring the safety of all involved.
The Canadian Coast Guard is leading efforts to survey the MSC Baltic III, a cargo ship grounded in a winter storm. Crew rescued in challenging conditions, with 20 members airlifted to safety. Emergency zone established, salvage teams mobilized. Weather remains a hurdle, but forecast offers hope for smooth salvage operations by midweek.
Scottish subsea specialist Sulmara recently assisted in a major fuel recovery operation for the typhoon-struck cargo ship, Yu Zhou Qi Hang, off the coast of Taiwan. Using a WAM-V 16 uncrewed surface vehicle equipped with a multibeam echosounder, Sulmara conducted a complex seabed survey to ensure safe navigation in shallow waters.
A risky operation to salvage an oil tanker attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea has been successfully completed, preventing a potential massive oil spill. The Greek-registered MT Sounion, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, was hit by missiles and drones. After months of efforts, the vessel has been declared safe and its cargo removed.
Efforts to remove the grounded small tanker, the 5,000 dwt Sanwa Maru, have been suspended by the Japan Coastguard. The vessel ran aground at the southern end of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, on January 6. Initial reports indicated no injuries or damage to the vessel, but a 5-degree list to starboard prompted the evacuation of most of the crew.
More than three months after the Houthi attack on the laden tanker Sounion, the damaged vessel has been successfully unloaded, averting a potential catastrophic oil spill. Greek officials confirmed the completion of the oil removal process at the anchorage south of the Suez Canal, raising concerns about the extent of the Houthi’s actions.
Egyptian authorities are urgently working to salvage the sinking VSG Glory near Quseir in the Red Sea Governorate. The cargo ship, carrying 21 crew members and tons of cargo, suffered a hull breach. Despite all crew members being rescued, efforts to stabilize the vessel are hindered by bad weather.
Officials provided an update on the salvage efforts for the grounded Ultra Galaxy cargo ship off the South African coast. Despite challenging weather conditions, teams continue to work on oil retrieval. The vessel broke into two, making the operation more difficult. Salvage teams face the task of locating and extracting remaining oil.
South African officials have completed the first phase of the recovery operation for the grounded bulker Ultra Galaxy. Progress was made due to a break in harsh winter weather, but another cold front is expected. The vessel developed a severe list during a storm on July 9 off the west coast of South Africa, leading the crew to abandon ship. A new salvage company has been appointed to continue the next phase.
