Wagenborg reports that two salvage vessels have arrived on scene to attend to its general cargo vessel Thamesborg, which remains aground in stable condition in the Franklin Strait off Prince of Wales Island, Canada. Salvage experts have meanwhile developed a plan for the safe refloating of the ship.
The salvage plan was created by Royal Wagenborg in close conjunction with the Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Ontario. Weather permitting, it is expected that the first part of the salvage operation will start over the course of this week with part of the cargo of Thamesborg being transshipped to one of the attending salvage vessels.
A third salvage vessel is currently underway to the location and will be joining for the last part of the salvage operation.
Also read: Wagenborg vessel runs aground in Northwest Passage
Fuel tanks and cargo holds in tact
A Canadian Coast Guard vessel continues to provide assistance to Thamesborg and is monitoring the situation on site, including conducting ROV (remotely operated vehicle) surveys. The latest inspections show that the fuel tanks and cargo holds of the ship remain intact.
So far, there have been no signs of any spills. The ship did suffer damage to some of its ballast tanks.
Also read: Salvage plan Thamesborg in the making
Grounding
Thamesborg is a modern ice-class vessel, which was on its way from Asia to Baie Comeau on the East coast of Canada. The ship is carrying a cargo of carbon blocks. All crew aboard the Thamesborg are safe and in good condition.
The vessel ran aground in the Franklin Strait on 6 September. The Franklin Strait is an Arctic waterway in Northern Canada’s territory of Nunavut. It is located between southeastern Prince of Wales Island and the Boothia Peninsula and is part of the Northwest Passage. The cause of the grounding is as yet unknown.
Picture: Dutch-flagged vessel MV Thamesborg pictured aground in the Franklin Strait, Nunavut, on 8 September (photo by the Canadian Coast Guard).
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