Over the following weeks the salvors removed all bunkers and pollutants from the casualty, controlled the flooded compartments by means of patching, pumping and pressurising, restored power and cargo gear operation, and prepared the vessel for a refloating attempt by dewatering and pulling on the late June spring tide.

This operation was supported by the AHT/SV Toto to receive bunkers and the tugs SMIT Amandla and Pentow Service forpulling and general assistance.

Due to the exposed location of the casualty, salvors relied solely on helicopters to transport personnel and equipment as well as to establish towing connections.

With the vessel heavily grounded and severely damaged, salvors hoped for a good swell to help refloat the vessel but on the day, conditions were calm and the bulker could not be pulled from the rocks. With all pollutants removed and no prospect of refloating by pulling, the LOF/SCOPIC was terminated and Tsavliris was awarded a continuation of services under a wreck removal contract.

The continuing operation involves the use of a Russian Mi-26 helicopter, the heaviest and most powerful such machine in the world, designed to carry armoured vehicles and other large cargoes weighing up to 20 tons. It began lifting cargo on 9 July and in an unprecedented operation expected to last two weeks was to remove 6,000 tons of deck cargo and land it ashore.

The lightering by helicopter was calculated to give sufficient buoyancy to the casualty for it to be pulled afloat during high water late last month.

Once afloat it was to be taken to shelter for further works.

MJ Information No: 20909