It is a sure sign that luck has not totally dried out for the ship mired in litigation. I had posted about the movement of the vessel OSM Arena from the outer anchorage aided by Cyclone Thane. Fortunately, it did not run aground but was getting closer to the shore as one of its anchors had failed.
Chennai Port Trust took swung into direct action. They did not seek the aid of any professional salvors but chose to try their own hand. It is good news for all as they have succeeded in salvaging the vessel. It is reported that with the help of two tugs, two pilots and a small team of professionals, the Korean vessel m.v. OSM Arena was salvaged on 2nd Jan 2012 afternoon.
It was reported that OSM Arena, which has been in the high seas since February 3, 2010, was pushed towards the INS Adyar on December 30, 2011 by the strong winds unleashed by cyclone ‘Thane'. In the process it lost an anchor while the chain of the first anchor got entangled with another. The stranded vessel was posing a risk to other vessels as it was at a depth of just eight metres.
Salvage efforts of MV Rena at Newzealand Courtesy : www. Cargolaw.com
The Hindu quoting Deputy Conservator, Chennai Port Trust (ChPT), states that the ship was successfully anchored 3.5 nautical miles from the coast and at a depth of 22 metres. “It is the first salvation effort undertaken by a ChPT team in the high seas. The vessel was pushed to the safe zone by the team members on Monday at 3.30 p.m. Besides, we have repaired the anchor,” he is quoted as saying.
The Chairman of ChPT was quoted as saying that they had the expertise to carry out rescue operations on land, the same could not be replicated in the sea. Hence, the assistance of a private contractor was sought to salvage the vessel. Welders and technicians were roped in to sever the chain for freeing the anchor. However the vessel is not yet totally out of danger as it remains with a single anchor and its main engine could not be started.
Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan went around the Korean vessel in a high-speed boat on New Year Day to supervise the rescue operations. He also offered to help 14 Myanmar
With regards – S. Sampathkumar .
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