This evening, Monday 02/07, at about 21.30 LT the heavily grounded PASHA BULKER was successfully refloated by SVITZER Salvage. The vessel had run aground during extreme weather conditions near Newcastle, Australia, about a month ago. Preparations for this salvage took about a month and included laying out groundtackles, preparing the vessel for the use of regaining buoyancy techniques and oil transfer to reduce chances on pollution. In the meantime the vessel was ballasted down, inclusive of filling up holds, to allow her to survive further storms.

All preparations were aimed at a refloating period starting on the 28th of June, whereby the attempt itself was divided in two stages: pulling the bow to sea and subsequently, after internal movement of the centre of gravity more forward, refloating the vessel to sea.

The first attempt succeeded in turning the vessel lightly but considerable swell and breakers resulted in two of the 3 tug wires breaking and one of the 3 groundtackles parting.

Spare gear was moved in from SVITZER Salvage warehouses in e.g. Singapore to be able to re-rig the systems and 2 days later, on 01/07, a second attempt was executed. The SVITZER Salvage team then succeeded in the first goal: turning the bow to sea. Over the following 24 hours the centre of gravity was moved forward to provide extra lift to the stern and today, 02/07, the vessel was successfully refloated. The vessel will now be stabilised offshore to prepare her for delivery.