[WATCH] Salvage operation to recover sunken boat in Valletta

Salvage operation to recover sunken boat in Valletta

A fishing vessel that sunk in Valletta, at Laboratory Wharf, has been pulled out of the seas following a salvage operation undertaken by Cassar Ship Repair.

On August 9, MV Maria, was leaving Laboratory Wharf and due to a mechanical fault the vessel collided with another cargo vessel at berth, MV Union, and the fishing vessel Angela Arcella. The MV Union sustained various damages on its aft whilst the Angella Arcella was capsized and eventually sunk at Laboratory Wharf.

Cassar Ship Repair were immediately alerted by Transport Malta to contain oil spills in the area.  The location was immediately surrounded by Cassar oil spill response team to limit the pollution area.

During the salvage operation, the ship repair company had to work around two factors, including the fact that the location was a strategic berth being the corner berth for the Ro-Ro vessel. 

The second factor was the way the vessel sunk on its port side where the damage was a tear measuring 13ft x3ft and an impounded plate of 15x7 ft.

After the first rigging process was carried out, the authorities requested Cassar to clear the vessel from the area as it was hindering the RoRo operations. This was done successfully within 24 hours.

When the vessel was turned to its horizontal position, the damage was better inspected and the team commenced work on sealing the damaged area

Cassar Ship Repair immediately deployed its divers to undertake an underwater survey and video footage to carry out an assessment of the damage and together with its Salvage Master and technical team analysed the way forward for a method procedure and risk assessment to re-float the Arcella.

The first phase was to rig the Arcella in such a way to be lifted by the 400 ton salvage vessel with the assistance of the company’s equipment including the A-Frame crane barge, land cranage and all the necessary pumps, working boats and inflatable lifting bags.

When the vessel was turned to its horizontal position, the damage was better inspected and the team commenced work on sealing the damaged area.

Once all underwater repairs were carried out, all openings were sealed and all safety measures were in place the Cassar team started the re-floating of the Arcella and by the evening the vessel was re-floated.

The oil spill response team of Cassar ship Repair worked 24 hours a day during the salvage operation to contain spillage of oil, debris and other loose materials from the Arcella.