On January, 16th  SVITZER Salvage BV signed a Lloyd's Open Form 2000 contract to assist general cargo WESTERHAVEN together with partners RESOLVE Towage & Salvage.

The WESTERHAVEN ran aground 15 miles northeast of Dangriga reef, Belize on January,  14th  and a joint salvage team was mobilised in immediately and arrived on site the same day.

Salvage tug RESOLVE PIONEER had been mobilised to the site on speculation too. Upon signing preparations were started in earnest, which included the involvement of naval architects, divers and engineers under command of salvage masters from both RESOLVE and SVITZER.   With the assistance of a second tug in addition to the RESOLVE PIONEER the vessel was successfully freed from the reef on January 18th (before reported as January, 17th) in a controlled operation.

The WESTERHAVEN was stabilised and then towed to the anchorage where it dropped anchor for further inspections. The vessel is presently prepared for redelivery which amongst others involves further underwater works.