Höegh Osaka refloated
In the UKs Solent, the stricken car carrier Höegh Osaka refloated naturally on Thursdays lunchtime high tide and at the time of writing (4pm) is under tow to a holding area off Portsmouth.
While some reports have suggested that the Höegh Osaka was due to be berthed temporarily in Southampton Water, it is now looking like the holding area is off Spitbank, near Portsmouth Harbour and falling under the control of Queen’s Harbourmaster, Portsmouth.
QHM Portsmouth has issued a temporary exclusion zone of 300 metres around the vessel for the duration of the salvage operation and while further investigations of the condition of the vessel are carried out. It is still listing at around 50 degrees.
It emerged yesterday that the hull had received a small crack, not from the grounding, but from movement of heavy plant equipment inside the hold. While this damage has received a temporary repair, there have been reports that due to it the vessel has taken on more water than originally thought.
As reported in MJ on Monday, the Norwegian owned vessel was departing Southampton bound for Germany on Saturday evening when it developed what was described as a “severe list” by Ingar Skiaker, CEO of the vessel’s owners Höegh Autoliners. The Singapore flagged vessel had a Port of Southampton pilot on board and faced with the possibility of foundering in the main shipping channel between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, the decision was taken to intentionally ground the vessel on the nearby Bramble Bank by the pilot and the ship’s master. The tow is being carried out by Svitzer.
By Jake Frith
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