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'Steel Queen' Hits Rock Bottom
01 Jun 2005
The Terneuzen based independent towage and salvage company Multraship successfully refloated the 2,540gt Dutch cargo vessel Steel Queen recently following its grounding on a rocky shoal outside the Swedish port of Oxelosund. The Steel Queen was loaded with 3,157 tons of steel which had to be partially discharged into a barge before the vessel could be refloated.
Multraship Salvage BV deployed a salvage master and diving team along with two tugs, including Multraship's Barracuda . A local barge and crane were mobilised to discharge part of the cargo of steel coils.
A diving inspection found that the vessel sustained damage to its propeller, keel plate and four ballast tanks.
Over 1,000 tons of steel coils were discharged and the damaged ballast tanks were kept under pressure with air.
The vessel was then refloated with the help of Barracuda three days after the grounding.
Following further inspection and cargo lightering, Steel Queen was towed to Gydnia by Barracuda for repairs.
Commenting on the salvage, Multraship managing director Leendert Muller said, 'Our ability to react quickly and deploy experienced salvage crews was crucial to salving this vessel. The rocky bottom meant the vessel sustained quite severe damage, so this was no simple salvage.'
MJ Information No: 20748
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