Sections of the vessel's deck, side and internals were scattered around the immediate area by the blast.

Wijsmuller was awarded a pollution prevention contract and responded from Macae, just north of Rio and the company's main base in South America. A large salvage spread left by truck for Paranagua before that contract was agreed. Dutch salvage personnel also flew in to assist in the response to this tragedy. They pumped out over 1,000 tons of heavy fuel oil and marine diesel from the wreck. The fact that Wijsmuller Salvage had the equipment readily available meant that oil was being pumped from the vessel within 24 hours.

Also during November Wijsmuller Salvage partnered Roda Bolaget of Sweden, another SvitzerWijsmuller group company, in assisting the 33,500dwt Greekowned bulk carrier Polo M which had grounded off Gotland in storm conditions on November 22. A LOF 2000 contract, with SCOPIC invoked, was agreed that day.

Dutch and Swedish salvage personnel worked together to achieve a refloating. The first priority was to prevent pollution, as seven of the vessel's 12 double bottom tanks were breached, including several bunker tanks.

The salvage plan focused on the internal transfer of bunkers from damaged tanks.

Subsequently, around 1,000 tons of heavy fuel oil, diesel and lubes was transferred to the tanker Bitfjord . Refloating of this casualty also required the discharge of 1,900 tons of the 26,000 tons cement cargo.

This vessel was freed from the grounding site on November 30.

Wijsmuller Salvage performed a total of 19 Lloyd's Form operations in 2004, whilst many operations amongst the 50 or so salvage assistances provided by Wijsmuller during the year were undertaken under non-LOF arrangements.

MJ Information No: 20234