As reported, Wijsmuller was awarded a pollution prevention contract and pumped over 1,000 tons of heavy fuel oil and marine diesel from the wreck. Another immediate responder was Alpina Briggs, a joint venture between the UK based Briggs Group and Brazilian pollution equipment company Alpina. Alpina Briggs had personnel on site 15 minutes after the first explosion and a full pollution control team and equipment in place by early the next morning. Alpina Briggs worked closely with Wijsmuller in the weeks following the explosion, recovering oil from the wreck and surrounding areas.

On 8 December, SMIT Salvage was awarded the contract to remove the total loss Vicuna . Alpina Briggs continues to supply pollution control equipment and personnel, with up to 50 trained operatives on site at a time. Alpina Briggs will work with SMIT until the wreck is removed.

With assistance from the floating sheerlegs Taklift 6 , SMIT began removal of the Vicuna bylifting the superstructure on 15 January. The bow was removed and transported to a demolition site five days later. Subsequently the main engine and a midship section have also been removed, with preparations for cutting and removing the stern now underway. The operation is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

MJ Information No: 20304