On Sunday 28th February 2010, we dispatched tug "HERMES", from her Patras station, to the assistance of the motor yacht "BARRACUDA" (67 GT, 21metres in length), which had grounded about 12 nautical miles from Patras.

The "BARRACUDA" was successfully refloated on the 1st March at 03.15 hrs; the yacht was subsequently towed by "HERMES", with our salvage master in attendance onboard, to safe berth at Patras port at 06.20 hrs. On the same day, she subsequently moved to Patras berth No.3, and was safely delivered to her owners.

On the 22nd February 2010, we dispatched our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" from her Ponta Delgada (Azores Islands) salvage station, to the assistance of the pallet carrier/side loader cargo vessel M/V "MARGIT GORTHON" (GT 12,750, DWT 14,240) laden with about 10,000 metric tonnes of wood pulp / brown "KRAFT", immobilized about 900 nautical miles North West of Azores, due to ingress of water in engine room, resulting in black out.

During the voyage from Ponta Delgada to the casualty's position "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" encountered adverse weather conditions with gale force winds, high seas and heavy swell of up to 6 metres. "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" arrived at the scene of the casualty on the 28th February 2010. Emergency towing lights were installed on board and the vessel was supplied with provisions. On the same day the towage began towards El Ferrol, North West Spain.

From the 2nd until the 6th March, the convoy encountered gale force winds, very high seas and heavy swells, resulting in heavy rolling and pitching of the tug and tow. On the morning of 8th March, the steel wire pennant parted, and attempts to reconnect commenced immediately. However, due to prevailing long swells, attempts were aborted. On the 9th March, swell eased and tow connection was re-established.

Towage to El-Ferrol resumed and the convoy arrived safely on the 17th March. All necessary arrangements were made by the salvors, for the casualty to proceed, with the assistance of port tug, to Navantia repair yard for repairs. The same day, our dispatched salvage team commenced the dewatering of the engine room and the pollutants were transferred into MARPOL trucks for disposal. The dewatering was completed on the morning of the 17th March, and the vessel was safely delivered to owners. 

On Friday 22nd January 2010, we dispatched salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from her Piraeus salvage station, to the assistance of M/T "ATHINA" (GRT 7,613, DWT 12,733) in ballast, which had stranded approximately 2.5 n.miles east of Kali Limenes, southern Crete. The vessel had dragged her anchors in sudden bad weather and grounded approximately 20 meters from the high rising rocky shoreline. Initially there was an imminent danger of pollution, however, this subsided, following transfer of all the bunkers and pollutants to the sub-contracted oil recovery anti-pollution vessel "AEGIS". A diver's inspection revealed that rocks had penetrated the ship's bottom. It was also observed that there were small pinnacle shaped rocks all along the port and starboard side of the vessel.

The salvage team made preparations for re-floating efforts, which were successful on Saturday 30th January, 2010. Following the re-floating, M/T "ATHINA" was towed to the anchorage for underwater inspection and for document preparation for towage to Piraeus.

On the 31st January due to adverse weather conditions (south westerly gale force winds) it was decided for safety reasons that the salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" and tugboat "HECTOR" proceed with the M/T "ATHINA" in tow under a controlled drifting mode, off Kali Limenes, until the weather improved. On the 3rd February the weather abated and the convoy anchored off Kali Limenes. On the 4th February, a detailed underwater dive inspection was performed. All towage certificates were received on the 5th February and on the same day the convoy sailed towards Piraeus.

On Saturday 6th February, the convoy arrived safely at Piraeus roads but due to prevailing weather conditions (Southerly gale force winds) M/T "ATHINA", salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" and tugboat "HECTOR" anchored off the Northern Coast of Aegina Island for shelter. On Monday 8th February, the convoy proceeded to Piraeus pilot station and with the assistance of port tugs the "ATHINA" berthed alongside at Perama, for transferring the bunkers and pollutants from "AEGIS". Transfer back to "ATHINA" commenced on the 11th February. This unexpected delay was due to the preparation of all relevant customs documentation and the public strike that occurred on the 10th February, and was completed on the 12th February. The casualty has been safely delivered to her owners. 

On Tuesday 15th December 2009, we dispatched salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from her Piraeus salvage station to the assistance of the Bulk Carrier "LIPARIT" (GT 4,109, DWT 6,036) experiencing main engine trouble South of Hydra Island, Myrtoo Pelagos.

The casualty was towed safely to Ambarli - arrived on 19th December 2009.

On the 8th December 2009, we dispatched salvage tug "TRABAJADOR-1" to the assistance of the M/V "SILVER STAR" (GT 12,539 – DWT 18,411), laden with approximately 8,500m3 of logs, disabled due to stern tube trouble, approximately 600 nautical miles South of Hong Kong.

Towage towards Shanghai commenced on the 11th December 2009, and the convoy safely arrived on the 21st December 2009, at Chang Jiang Kou anchorage no.2. (Shanghai outer anchorage).

Due to the complexities of the Yangtze River towage, approval and requirements were awaited from the authorities.

On the 10th January 2010, the M/V "SILVER STAR" was delivered to port tugs for the river towage up to discharging port Zhangjiagang. Adverse weather conditions interrupted the river towage as the convoy awaited for weather improvements. River towage was resumed on the 14th January 2010, and the convoy safely arrived at Zhangjiagang on the 15th January 2010. On the same day the vessel was redelivered to owners at discharging berth. Upon completion of discharge, the vessel was towed to Xinrong Shipyard. 

On Saturday 7th November 2009, we dispatched salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from her Piraeus salvage station to the assistance of the TCH "UNION POWER" (GT 8,744, DWT 12,300) experiencing main engine trouble approximately 30 nautical miles South East of Kymi, Aegean Sea.

The casualty was towed safely to Piraeus roads - arrived on 9th November 2009.

On Wednesday 24h June 2009, we dispatched salvage tug "RAGNHILD K" to the assistance of bulk carrier "BET COMMANDER" (GT 77,090, DWT 149,500), laden with iron ore, experiencing steering difficulties in extreme weather conditions approximately 60 n.miles East of Port Elizabeth.

The vessel was escorted safely to Port Elizabeth and then on to Durban, over a period of about 10 days. 

On Tuesday 7th April, at 19.00, we dispatched salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" from her Galle (Sri Lanka) salvage station, to the assistance of the M/T "GRANBA" (GRT 4658 – DWT 7650) laden with about 5,250 M/T of sulphuric acid in bulk, disabled off Trincomalee due to heavy list and leaking from cargo tanks to ballast tanks. Our salvage team, together with substantial salvage, STS operations etc equipment, including special protective suits / masks, was flown from Greece and Holland to Sri Lanka. Arrangements were made to fly special pumps, hoses, explosion proof-power packs etc (capable of pumping sulphuric acid) from FRAMO Singapore. Chemical tanker market was canvassed to locate suitable lightering tankers with stainless steel tanks.

On 8th April at 14.30 hours our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" arrived on the scene of the casualty which, abandoned by crew, was listing and being handled by port tug arranged by Sri Lanka Navy, approximately 50 NM off the coast. Under direction of Sri Lanka Navy the "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" connected up to the casualty bow (replacing the port tug). On 9th April at 00.10 hours the casualty sank at approximate position 08 11,15N – 082 18,55 E in a water depth of about 3800 meters. On 10th April at 13.00 hours the Sri Lanka Navy released "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" whereupon she proceeded to Galle salvage station for inspection / examination of acid and related damages. On 11th April at 10.00 "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" arrived at Galle salvage station All other arrangements were stood down, demobilized or cancelled. 

M/V "OCEAN VICTORY" (GRT 4259, DWT 6000), after a period of standing by at Vila de Conde (Brazil), upon completion of discharging her cargo, was towed to Trinidad by the tug "MASSAI".

On Wednesday 18th February 2009, we mobilized salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS HELLAS" from her Ponta Delgada (Azores Island) salvage station, to the assistance of the M/T "NORDANVIND" (GRT 24,252, DWT 38,650) disabled about 650 n.miles South of the Azores.

The casualty was safely towed to Las Palmas - arrived on 27th February 2009.

On Saturday 14th February 2009, we dispatched salvage tug ITC "MISTRAL" from Gibraltar, to the assistance of the M/V "MARIA" (GRT 3973, DWT 4330) laden with 3700 M/T steel rebars.

The casualty was safely towed to Cartagena, Spain - arrived on 18th February 2009.

On Saturday 7th February 2009, we deployed salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" from her Piraeus salvage station, for the towage of the M/V "E.R HAMBURG" (GRT 26,125, DWT 30,705) from Skaramagas Shipyard, with serious bow damage following a collision.

The casualty was safely towed to Constanza Shipyard - arrived on 18th February 2009.

On Tuesday 20th January 2009, we dispatched salvage tug "MASSAI" from her Martinique salvage station, to the assistance of the M/V "OCEAN VICTORY" (GRT 4259, DWT 5979) laden with 5600 M/T of pitch in bulk, disabled about 520 n.miles SW of Mindelo C.V. Islands.

The casualty was safely towed to Vila de Conde (Brazil) and delivered to her owners on 14th February 2009. 

On Thursday 15th January 2009, we dispatched salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" to the assistance of the M/V "ANNEMIEKE" (GRT 8388 MT, DWT 9544 MT) disabled about 200 miles West of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Casualty towed to COLOMBO.