On 21 September 2014 the large modern PAX/RORO vessel "EUROPALINK" (46,119 GT, 9,653 DWT) allided with rocks off Peristeria Islet, north-east Corfu island, Ionian Sea, Greece during a voyage from Patras to Ancona (via Igoumenitsa) with 692 passengers, 70 crew members and 366 vehicles onboard.

The vessel, which sustained severe bottom damage and a substantial ingress of seawater, managed to proceed to Corfu by her own means, where at the entrance to the port she sustained black out and lost power. The casualty was berthed with the assistance of local tugs.   Shortly after arrival at berth, all persons and vehicles were evacuated, while the vessel submerged due to flooding.

Following a tendering process, TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE  was engaged as the lead salvage contractor (working with a group of specialised co-contractors) to salve the casualty.  It performed  first aid services and delivered the vessel safely afloat to the designated repair yard under tow.

TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE  team consisting of a Salvage Master, Salvage Engineers, Naval Architects and Divers was mobilised from Piraeus while portable salvage equipment (pumps, compressors, generators etc.) was dispatched onboard the Tsavliris tug "HERMES" from Patras. In the meantime, the anti-pollution oil recovery vessel "AEGIS", with full anti-pollution equipment  (skimmers, oil booms etc.) was deployed from Piraeus with the anti-pollution oil separator craft "AKTEA 15".

The casualty was thoroughly inspected internally (by the salvage team) and externally (by the diving team). Using 3D modeling, it was verified that all the bottom tanks and some of the side tanks were flooded and communicating due to the internal breakage.

A salvage plan was prepared and approved by the client and also by the local authorities.

-The following services were rendered (some of them in parallel) on a "round the clock" basis:

-Environmental protection facilities around the Vessel, covering also supporting vessels for the entire operation, during which no sea pollution occurred.

-Temporary repairs from inside ensuring water tightness of the tailshafts, tunnels, stabilizers room and center tunnel, making them all dry.

Patching (including cutting away) of damaged flat bottom plating and restoring hull integrity and water tightness. More than 80 holes and cracks of various dimensions were patched, including four  big fractures of approximate dimensions 4 m x 1 m and 11 m x 1 m. Additional reinforcements were fitted in respect of the big fractures in order to reinstate longitudinal member continuity.

-Testing and verification of the watertightness of the engine room (main engines, boilers and purifiers compartments).

-Washing down with fresh water and chemicals (oil removers/cleaners) the entire engine room, boiler room, tailshaft's tunnels, stabilizers room and center tunnel.

-Pumping out oil from the flooded engine room by portable pumps into the oil recovery vessel "AEGIS".

-Purifying of the oily water by skimmers (to authorities' satisfaction) and pumping  clean water back into the sea; monitoring continuously oil ppm content (less than 5 ppm).

-Pumping out 5,000 – 6,000 tons of  oily seawater from the flooded engine room etc. with portable pumps via the separator craft "AKTEA 15" and, after separation, pumping the oil into the oil recovery vessel "AEGIS".

-Cleaning the engine room with high pressure fresh water jet and preservation of all the machinery and electrical parts consisting of cleaning, removal of sea water and contaminated oil, flushing with clean oil and applying special preservation oil internally and externally.

-Pumping out washing residues into "AEGIS", which returned to Piraeus, where she discharged about 100 tons of oily residues to appropriate shore installation.

Following final inspection by the Port Authorities, Port State Control and the Vessel's Classification Society, the casualty was prepared for towage and the towage plan was approved by the Vessel's Flag State and the Greek Authorities.

The Tsavliris Salvage tug S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" (dispatched from her salvage station at Piraeus) towed the casualty to Yalova, Turkey.  During the tow, the Tsavliris Salvage team remained on board, as riding crew, both for safety and operational reasons.

After her arrival at the destination, all portable salvage equipment was recovered by S/T "MEGAS ALEXANDROS", which demobilised to Piraeus.

The substantial services, which overall lasted about seven weeks, were entirely successful.

On 16 May 2014, the Container/RoRo vessel "SALOOS" (GT 6,950, DWT 4,403, LOA 106 m, Beam 20 m), laden with 155 containers, capsized and grounded off Cabinda, Angola, and was abandoned by her crew. On the same day TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE were appointed by the shipowners to provide assistance to the vessel.

Upon arrival at Cabinda on 19 May, the Tsavliris Salvage Team performed the casualty inspection, and reported that the "SALOOS" was capsized on her port side at an 80-degree angle at approximately 7 metres water depth. The grounding position was next to Fairway Channel at Cabinda Port. All containers from deck stow had dropped off.

The Port Authorities assisted in recovering as many containers as possible as they would be a danger to other vessels using the port.

Later on the day, Tsavliris' plans were explained to the harbor Master who expressed his concern of oil pollution and port blockage from the containers. The Salvage Master explained Tsavliris' priorities and requested his cooperation releasing the local crane borge to us.

The harbor Master demanded a preliminary wreck removal plan by 26 May which was approved after submission by the Angola Port General Manager.

The contract between the Owners and the Salvors was renegotiated to a wreck hire contract and the LOF/SCOPIC was terminated on 24 May.

The cutter suction dredger "Tiandao" caught fire, capsized and sank at the Port of Gizan in Saudi Arabia, end of November 2014.

CHEC, a Chinese civil engineering (harbour construction) company, owners of subject dredger, responsible for her refloating/raising, engaged Huta Marine Works' 1,200 tons SWL sheer leg crane (Huta 311) for the operation.

On 1 December 2014, TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE were contracted by Huta Marine Works to provide technical consultancy/support including planning, surveillance and risk assessment.

After the successful refloating operation of the sunken dredger "Tiandao", the project was finalised on 22 April 2015.

On the 6th of January 2014, bulk carrier "CASSEIOPIA STAR" (GRT 20,200, DWT 32,300) laden with 27,500MT of barite ore, immobilized due to main engine problem about 1600 nautical miles West of Canary Islands. AHT "FAIRMOUNT GLACIER" (16,300BHP/200TBP) was mobilised from Las Palmas to the assistance of the casualty.

On the 13th January, the tug arrived at casualty's position and towing connection was established following which towage commenced towards Las Palmas.

During the towage, the convoy encountered bad weather with gale force winds and heavy seas, which affected the towage speed and made conditions onboard both vessels extremely uncomfortable.

On the 30th January convoy arrived off Las Palmas, but due to bad weather, convoy drifted at open sea awaiting an improvement in conditions to deliver the tow to port tugs. The following day weather conditions eased and convoy proceeded to Las Palmas pilot station whereby the casualty was berthed and safely delivered to her owners.  The 2000 mile towage had been successfully accomplished.

On the 11th January 2014, Panamax bulk carrier "LIGARI" (38,800 GRT, 75,500 DWT), laden with 66,000MT of corn was involved in a collision with product tanker DL SUNFLOWER (28,500 GRT, 47,000 DWT), in Korea Straight, South of Busan. The vessel sustained hull damages to cargo hold no 7 breaching one of the fuel tanks, as well as the accommodation block starboard side, resulting in ingress of water in the engine room.

TSAVLIRIS dispatched tug boats ''BAKYUNG No.1'' and ''KUMGANG No.3'' (46 and 35 TBP respectively) and mobilised a salvage master and salvage engineer to the casualty. Local divers, salvage/antipollution equipment and additional personnel were arranged through sub-contractors Messrs. Korea Salvage. The casualty was towed to Busan port anchorage where floating oil booms were deployed around the casualty. Following under water inspection by team of divers, a crack was found by way of starboard side of the engine room. Temporary patching / sealing commenced by using wooden wedges and blankets to reduce water ingress.

On the 12th January, a team of divers commenced underwater temporary repairs. Tug Boat "DONG BANG 5" (190 GRT, 54 DWT) remained on site standby as per Harbour Master's orders. TSAVLIRIS' salvage team organised and supervised the entire operation including: underwater temporary repairs, cleaning of F.O.T tanks, temporary repairs of damaged area, removal of slops and oil spill response duties.

On the 18th January, Class Surveyor inspected the progress of the repairs and found same to be satisfactory. Due to forthcoming towage to discharging port, the ship's tail shaft was secured by the salvage team and submersible pumps were installed with a diesel generator in engine room.

On the 22nd January, the S/T "TERASEA EAGLE" (16500 BHP, 203 TBP) arrived at Pusan for the towage of the vessel to discharging port in China. All towing connections (main and emergency) were completed and tug remained alongside.

On the 23rd January, all repairs were successfully completed and approved by Class Surveyor. Vessel's departure was delayed due to incident investigation by the Coast Guard and consequent issuance of port clearance.

On the 27th January, port clearance was issued, salvage services were ended and convoy sailed to Longkou, China and arrived 1st February 2014. This was a successful salvage operation accomplished expeditiously without any pollution occurring.

On Wednesday 30th January,  Bulk Carrier "RBD ITALIA" (47,984 GRT – 87,334 DWT), laden with  43.380,86 M/T of grain, grounded at KM 452, Rio Parana, in the vicinity of San Lorenzo. Tsavliris salvage master boarded casualty on the same day. Refloating attempts, by using ship's engine and rudder commenced but with no success.

On the 31st January we contracted tugs "ONA DON LORENZO" and "LUCIANO B" which promptly mobilized from La Plata and Buenos Aires respectively, to the assistance of the casualty.

On the 1st February tugs arrived on scene and attempts to refloat the vessel were immediately undertaken. Local company "OSRO" was engaged to provide anti-pollution services. On the same day vessel was successfully refloated and  anchored at San Lorenzo roads.

Both tugs remained alongside providing standby services.

On the 2nd February, mandatory post grounding inspection by the Coastguard and diving inspection on behalf of Class, were performed.  Certificate of Safe Delivery was signed and following clearance by the Authorities the vessel sailed same day.

The two tugs demobilized towards Buenos Aires providing shadow escort.

On Thursday 14th February, we dispatched salvage tug "KAMARINA", from her Singapore salvage station, to the assistance of oil products tanker "MAKO" (GT 60,504, DWT 104,000), laden with about 89,000 M/T Murban crude oil, experiencing technical problems and steaming at reduced speed, about 115 nautical miles south of Sunda Straits, Indian Ocean. The casualty required tug assistance/support prior to entering the Sunda Strait.

Motor tug "SWISSCO SUPREME" was also fixed and set sail from Singapore on Monday 18th February to assist in the escort, steering or towage of "MAKO".

"KAMARINA" arrived at rendezvous point on the 18th February and awaited the arrival of the second tug, "SWISSCO SUPREME", in order to proceed to the casualty's position.

Following instructions from "MAKO", the "KAMARINA" proceeded to the casualty's position on the 21st February and arrived the same day. Attempts were made to connect the towline, however bad weather conditions did not allow for this. On the 22nd February, tug "SWISSCO SUPREME" arrived and attempted to connect the towline at the stern of the casualty. Once again due to bad weather it was difficult to connect the towline and once connected the towline parted.

Due to improved weather conditions towlines were connected on the 25th February, i.e. "KAMARINA" connected to the bow and "SWISSCO SUPREME" connected to the stern. Convoy commenced towage to Jakarta where safely arrived on 27th February. Both tugs were released the following day - 28th February.

On Saturday 30th March our salvage tug "MEGAS ALEXANDROS" proceeded to the assistance of oil/chemical tanker "VARKAN MARMARA" (GRT 3,478 / DWT 4,865), laden with about 3,500 MT of FAME(BIO DIESEL PRODUCT), disabled off the North African Coast.

Towage connection effected on Tuesday 2nd April in adverse weather conditions.

Convoy safely arrived Augusta on Friday 5th April and anchored at inner anchorage.

On Thursday 23rd May we dispatched salvage tug "TRABAJADOR 1", from Subic Bay, Philippines, to the assistance of Motor Bulk Carrier "NAVIOS MAGELLAN" (39,052 GRT, 74,333 DWT), in ballast, immobilized due to engine problems in the Sulu Sea.

Salvage tug "TRABAJADOR 1" arrived at the casualty's position on Saturday 25th May, connected the towline and commenced towage to Singapore.

Convoy arrived safely at Singapore, off East OPL on the 2nd June. With the assistance of 4 port tugs (tow masters and pilot), casualty was towed to Sembawang Shipyard, where safely redelivered to her owners the same day.

On Sunday 5th May 2013, we dispatched our salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY", from her Galle (Sri Lanka) salvage station, to the assistance of geared bulk carrier "RIO GOLD" (23,663 GRT, 39,695 DWT), laden with 35,200 MT of cement clinker, grounded on hard rock off South East Preparis Island, Myanmar.

A local naval vessel was dispatched by the authorities to casualty's position to monitor the situation. Tsavliris salvage master arrived on site on Tuesday 7th May and immediately attended meetings with Myanmar Port Authority, SAD (Shipping Agency Department – Government Agency), DMA (Department of Marine Administration) and the Navy, to obtain necessary salvage permits.

On Thursday 9th May, we mobilized AHTS "CONFIDENCE" from Penang for casualty bunkers removal and general services.

On Saturday 11th May, salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" arrived alongside in Yangon for permits, stores and embarkation of salvage team.

On Monday 13th May, salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" proceeded to casualty's position and connected up. Following connection a refloating attempt was made and was successful with no pollution. "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" went alongside portside of the "RIO GOLD" to provide stand by services and support services. An underwater inspection was performed to ascertain damage. It was found that the casualty had sustained propeller, rudder and extensive hull damage.

AHTS "CONFIDENCE" arrived on Friday 17th May and connected towline to the "RIO GOLD", commencing towage to Lumut, Malaysia.

"TSAVLIRIS UNITY" proceeded to Yangon Port for outward clearance and documentation – arriving on Sunday 19th May.

On Monday 20th May, "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" proceeded to rendezvous position with the convoy and took over the towage of the "RIO GOLD" to Lumut Port, with AHTS "CONFIDENCE" escorting.

Convoy arrived safely and anchored off Lumut port limits on Monday 27th May. Both tugs - the "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" and the "CONFIDENCE" - stood by alongside the casualty awaiting instructions. On Tuesday 28th May, the casualty was shifted with the assistance of port tugs to Lumut outer anchorage. Free pratique was granted for all vessels. The "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" went alongside with the towline connected, whilst the "CONFIDENCE" anchored nearby the casualty.

For the majority of the month of June underwater repairs such as patching and welding of cracks in the fore peak were performed. It was decided on the 5th June that tug "CONFIDENCE" could be demobilized and she was released back to Penang. Fresh water and supplies were delivered to the "RIO GOLD" and to "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" throughout this time. Salvors were not allowed to demobilize by orders of the Port Authorities.

On the 14th June plans were prepared for the voyage of the convoy from Lumut – stores, fuel and lub was ordered for the journey. Following all temporary repairs and preparations the convoy, "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" towing "RIO GOLD", departed on the 29th June to off Horsburgh Light House.

Steering tug "PW IOTA" connected to the casualty on the 30th June. Convoy safely arrived on the 3rd July where "RIO GOLD" dropped anchor about 19 nautical miles East of Horsburgh Light House. Tug "PW IOTA" was released whilst salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" went alongside the casualty.

 Salvage tug "TSAVLIRIS UNITY" is currently providing stand by services to the "RIO GOLD".

On Tuesday 13th August, we dispatched AHTS "MAHAWEWA" from OPL Colombo, Sri Lanka, to the assistance of LPG Tanker "GAS TEXIANA" (4,695 GRT, 5,174 DWT), immobilized approximately 230 miles East of Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

AHTS "MAHAWEWA" arrived at the casualty's position on Thursday 15th August, connected towline and commenced towage towards Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

Convoy safely arrived at OPL Hambantota on Saturday 17th August and was safely berthed with the assistance of two port tugs on Sunday 18th August.