Resolve barges alongside grounded vessel
Despite the challenges posed by the worldwide pandemic, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., headquartered Resolve Marine has efficiently refloated the grounded cargo vessel Kaami, finishing response operations along with her tow to a dry dock in Loch Kishorn Scotland.
The incident started within the early morning of March 23, 2020 when the 4,293 dwt Bahamas-flagged common cargo vessel grounded on rocks six nautical miles northwest off Duntulm on Skye. The vessel, which in line with the Equasis knowledge base is operated by Bergen, Norway-based Misje Rederi, was carrying a crew of eight and and 1,900 tons of SRF (Solid Refuse-derived Fuel) pellets.
What adopted developed right into a complete response operation requiring patching of raptured cargo holds and ballast tanks, lightering of the cargo, and refloat operations.
Despite unpredictable climate circumstances off the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and tough circumstances related to the COVID-19 restrictions, Resolve mobilized salvage groups and gear, from bases in Europe, Africa, and the United States.
While preliminary search and rescue efforts by the U.Ok. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) targeted on safely evacuating the crew from the stricken vessel, quickly after a Lloyd’s Open Form was agreed between Resolve Marine and the vessel’s homeowners.
Storm drive circumstances prevented Resolve’s salvage group from instantly boarding the vessel however on March 25, response groups have been in a position to board by way of helicopter and start an on-site evaluation.
Working carefully with the U.Ok. Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), MCA, and proprietor’s Special Casualty Representative (SCR), a salvage plan was developed to mitigate air pollution threats, stabilize the vessel and put together her for refloating. The group’s rapid precedence was to take away the vessel’s bunkers containing roughly 63 tonnes of gas. Once the fuels have been eliminated, the group’s consideration turned to eradicating the 1,900 tons of SRF pellets cargo which posed a big environmental risk.
The Kaami was grounded on an uncovered rock pinnacle that was topic to sturdy currents and a five-meter tide distinction. As groups boarded the casualty, the tide and present circumstances created obstacles permitting just a few hours between tides for lightering property to place alongside the vessel offering a chance to take away bunkers and cargo.
After 43 days working in northern Scotland’s unforgiving climate, the Resolve salvage group together with their companions efficiently managed to refloat the Kaami utilizing a mix of salvage patches and compressed air.
The vessel was then towed and safely redelivered to Kishorn.
“From the beginning, we knew this response was going to present a host of unique challenges,” acknowledged Dimitri Theodorou, Resolve’s Director Emergency Response. “From the location and weather to global travel conditions created by the coronavirus pandemic, the teams focused on personal safety as they executed an urgent response.”
