Netherlands-based towage and salvage specialist Multraship has successfully refloated the 'Stema Barge II' after the 135-metre-long vessel grounded in shallow water inbound to the Dutch port of Eemshaven with a cargo of rocks following the loss of its tow to the tug 'Hellas' on November 16.
After initial attempts by local tugs to refloat the barge proved to be unsuccessful, Multraship was contracted on November 25. According to analysis performed of the situation, 24,000 tonnes of rocks of the barge's rocks had to be discharged in order for works to proceed.
The aft section of the barge had sunk deep into a sandbank, and some 12,000 tonnes of cargo was discharged by excavator onto the 'Multrabarge II', 'Wagenborg Barge I' and 'Charlie Rock'.
"What might under other circumstances have been a comparatively straightforward salvage operation was complicated in this case by the fact that the extremely shallow water in which the barge had grounded meant that it was difficult to find suitable tugs and salvage craft to bring and keep alongside the grounded barge," said Leendert Muller, Managing Director of Multraship. "There was also a severe groundswell, which delayed operations on a number of occasions. We mobilised a great deal of equipment and had a salvage team working around the clock. About sixty people, including a salvage master and supervisors, naval architects, divers and riggers were employed in the rescue operation, working aboard six salvage craft / tugs, three fast launches, and three barges."
The barge was refloated on December 7 and towed into Eemshaven, where cargo discharge continued and inspections got under way.