A prime example of how local politics can engulf even the succesful salvor made headlines in 2003 when TSAVLIRIS altogether recovered 39,500 tonnes of crude oil aboard the 87,500 dwt "TASMAN SPIRIT" after the tanker ran aground in July and later broke in two outside the port of Karachi in Pakistan's worst-ever marine spill.

The vessel reportedly began leaking its cargo of 67,500 tonnes of oil as soon as she stranded . It is estimated that up to 20,000 tonnes of crude had been lost before TSAVLIRIS arrived on the scene-mobilising its tug the "SB-408" as well as chartering an additional tug and three lightering tankers. The TSAVLIRIS team worked closely throughout with the owners, the P& I Club and with the local authorities who approved each phase of the cargo discharging, tank inerting and overall polluntants removal, and who were highly complimentary on the salvors' skills. But on demobilisation, the salvage team and its assets were prevented from leaving Pakistan as the result of the highly charged political atmosphere and blame game which caught up almost everybody associated with the casaulty and the clean-up operation.

TSAVLIRIS assets were released some months later in two stages, but it was not until April 2004 that salvage master Nikos Pappas was finally permitted to return to Greece following increasingly energetic pressure from the Greek government, the European Union, the IMO, the US State Department, the ISU and other leading maritime institutions - to all of which TSAVLIRIS would like to express its heartfelt gratitude.

The 30,500 dwt vessel reported fire in the diesel generator while traveling at Bandar Abbas roads. "ARGOLIKOS" was laden with containers from Felixtone to Dubai, discharging some units at Bandar Abbas. TSAVLIRIS sent a salvage team to attend the casualty and refloat the vessel.

The Bulk Carrier "PRITZWALK", laden with 4,500 tonnes of general cargo, ran aground on the 11th of August at the entrance of Banana, at the Congo River, two nautical miles from the port of Soyo at Angola, while she was proceeding to discharge. TSAVLIRIS subcontracted a salvage tug in order to assist the casualty.

The 26,700 dwt Motor Vessel "PATRIOT", laden with about 13,000 tonnes of steel products and destination to Australia, was immobilized 900 miles east, south-east of Taiwan due to engine failure. TSAVLIRIS subcontracted tug emerged to the casualty in order to begin refloating operations.

The 37,000 dwt Motor Vessel "BLUE PRINCESS" was anchored and made fast astern at Neos Molos Drapetsona (Greece). On the night of October 9, bad weather suddenly developed, her mooring lines broke and dragged her anchor. As drifting, she was hitting against the dock and nearby vessels. TSAVLIRIS engaged the following tugs for the salvage operation: "ATLAS", "TAXIARCHIS" and "MEGALOCHARI 10".

The 14,000 dwt Motor Vessel "CHIQUITA NEDERLAND", laden with 8,000 tons of bananas and deck cargo of containers, sustained rudder damage approximately 75 miles of Azores. TSAVLIRIS salvage tug "FOTIY KRYLOV", proceeded immediately to assist the casualty and towed her to Antwerp to discharge cargo.

The 32,000-dwt bulk carrier "BONGA" was laden with scrap from Russia to Iskenderun, Turkey, when it run aground off Nisyros Island.

She was successfully refloated and delivered in Iskenderun on 19/03/02.

TSAVLIRIS tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" engaged in 12-day tow of of the Barge "Sete 33" from Elefsis, Greece to Jeddah.

"MEGAS ALEXANDROS" also towed Barge "Sete 23 & 24" from Jeddah to Algieres.

The 72,000 dwt Bulk Carrier "STANDARD VALOR" ran aground on Rio Parana, Argentina, laden with 36,000 tonnes of soya pellets from San Lorenzo to Alexandria and Lebanon.

She was successfully refloated and delivered on 21/01/02.

The semi-submersible driiling rig "ATWOOD EAGLE" was towed 5,500 miles without incident from its refit and conversion in a Greek shipyard early 2003 to Luanda, Angola on a voyage of just over two and a half months.The contract on the 325 ft X 242 ft and 25 ft draught rig, owned by Atwood Oceanics Inc., was performed by the TSAVLIRIS - operated "FOTIY KRYLOV".

The 31,000 dwt Motor Tanker "VIRGIN" ran aground off Banana, Congo, while laden with 25,600 tonnes of gas oil from Bahrain to Banana and Lome, Luanda. After lightering operations, the tanker was successfully refloated and delivered on 07/02/02.

The 40,000 dwt Bulk Carrier "MED UNITY" was immobilized due to main engine failure at Bejaia, Algeria. The vessel was laden with 28,000 tonnes of soya bean meals from San Lorenzo Brazil to Bejaia, Algeria and Thessaloniki, Greece.

She was towed and delivered to Malta on 26/01/02.

The 25,000 dwt Bulk Carrier "CACAO" was in ballast, on fire, abandoned and adrift in the Arabian Sea. The fire was extinguished and she was towed to Dubai where she was delivered on 02/02/02.

The 118,500 dwt bulker was immobilized due to main engine failure off Bermuda, while in ballast condition on her way to New Orleans. 

"AGHIA TRIAS" was towed and delivered to Spain on 19/02/02.

The 24,000 dwt vessel was immobilized due to fire in her engine room, about 50 miles west of the island of Kefalonia, Greece. She was laden with 20,000 tonnes of soya bean meals from Brazil to Preveza, Greece.

The fire was extinguished and Motor Vessel "VIENTO" was towed to Preveza where she was delivered on 17/02/02