Royal Wagenborg has reported that its general cargo vessel MV Thamesborg was successfully refloated from its position in the Franklin Strait off Prince of Wales Island, Canada, on 9 October at approximately 6 AM local time. Following inspection and clearance from official parties, the Thamesborg is en route to a port of refuge.
After refloating, the vessel is stable and is currently being attended by salvage vessels and the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Des Groseilliers. There were no injuries to the crew and no pollution occurred during the refloating or the initial grounding on September 6.
The complex refloating operation involved the transfer of over 5000 tonnes of cargo to the assisting vessels Silver Copenhagen and Nunalik to reduce the vessel’s draught. Following this, the MSV Botnica arrived with specialist equipment, allowing for the controlled reduction of water in the Thamesborg’s damaged ballast tanks, enabling the successful operation.
Wagenborg extends its sincere gratitude to the Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada, the involved salvage teams, and all government agencies and staff who provided crucial assistance throughout this operation.
Also read: Wagenborg reveals details of Thamesborg salvage plan
Cause grounding still unknown
Thamesborg is a modern ice-class vessel, which was on its way from Asia to Baie Comeau on the East coast of Canada, when it ran aground in the Franklin Strait off Prince of Wales Island on 6 September. The ship was carrying a cargo of carbon blocks. 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 vessel’s fuel tanks and cargo holds remained intact, but multiple ballast tanks were ruptured in the grounding.
The exact cause of the grounding is still under investigation in full cooperation with Canadian authorities, including the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
Picture: Dutch-flagged vessel MV Thamesborg pictured aground in the Franklin Strait, on 8 September (photo by the Canadian Coast Guard).
Also read: Salvage plan Thamesborg approved, lightering continues
