Salvage World Q3 2020

INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION

October 2020

COVID-19 - the salvage industry continues to provide vital services

“

Together, ISU members have responded superbly to the challenges created by the coronavirus. We have continued to serve our shipowner clients - as the selection of

operational pictures below shows - using our ingenuity and determination to provide services despite the increased health risks and the logistical obstacles - especially regarding international travel and keeping our teams safe.

I cannot think of one case where appropriate services have not been provided when and where they were needed.

�

Richard Janssen, President ISU.

Picture courtesy: Dennis Gouda Fotografie

ISU members' recent operations. Top row L-R: Multraship, Atlantic Towage and Marine, Five Oceans Salvage, Tsavliris Salvage Middle row L-R: Boluda, Smit Salvage, Resolve Marine Bottom row L-R: Smit Salvage, Multraship, Resolve Marine.

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ISU News Wreck Removal ISU continues to work with the International Group of P&I Clubs to discuss revisions to the code of practice for wreck removal tendering. At the same time, the two organisations are working with BIMCO to address modifications to the popular suite of wreck removal contracts and the way in which risk is treated, including the use of Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA). ISU accepts that QRA has its place in tendering and execution of projects but is clear that risk must be treated fairly and be appropriately shared between parties.

Separately, ISU is working with BIMCO and others to revise its towage contracts.

Virtual Salvage and Wreck Conference

Attendees will be given access to the platform two weeks before the event start date to create a profile and can schedule meetings through Informa’s “AI matchmaking” service.

Most sessions will be live-streamed and saved so attendees can view them again at another time. Others will be available on-demand from the outset so participants can access the content at their convenience.

Discount rates are available for ISU full and associate members with the relevant codes below.

ISU full members 40% discount: Code: FKT3675ISUFM Link: https://bit.ly/2BGdUDP ISU Associate Members 25% discount: Code: FKT3675ISUAM Link: https://bit.ly/31fpi4D ISU AGM 2020

ISU is supporting the Informaconnect virtual Salvage and Wreck Conference being held 02 – 04 December 2020. ISU President, Richard Janssen, will give the opening address.

The ISU held its virtual AGM on 16 September. The agenda included the required statutory items of ISU business, reports from the secretary general, Roger Evans and legal adviser, Rob Wallis and presentations of the latest salvage industry and pollution prevention statistics from communications adviser James Herbert who also led an open

forum question and answer session with members of the ISU executive committee.

There were more than 50 participants from 35 ISU member companies.

Welcoming the members, ISU President Richard Janssen said: “It was obviously not possible to hold a physical meeting in Rotterdam as we had planned. This virtual meeting cannot be a substitute for the industry coming together in person but I hope that this approach goes some way to connecting you to your association and to the other players in our important industry.

“My first six months as President were fairly normal, the second six months rather abnormal yet during the difficult times that we have all experienced, the ISU has continued to represent your interests and to deal with the issues facing the industry.

“Regardless of the current restrictions, the industry continues to face economic pressure and the demise of Ardent means that within four years the names of Titan, Svitzer and Mammoet have all been lost to the industry. It is an open question whether the capacity of the industry is satisfactory, but with a healthy membership of 50 companies it would appear so.

“Some ‘scope creep’ of our 76 associate members is an indication that the business is there but that the requirements of our clients continue to change. We simply have to be adaptive and deliver value for money.”

A selection of ISU members, secretariat and executive committee members attending the virtual AGM

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Members’ News Smit Salvage Smit reports that it has secured many salvage contracts over the recent period and that more than 25 operations have been successfully executed around the world since the pandemic outbreak.

Managing Director, Richard Janssen, said: “It is a testimony to the dedication of all our staff across the globe who, despite the uncertainty and challenges and adherence to our strict travel and quarantine protocols, continue to help shipowners in distress.

“Like many organisations, specific protocols needed to be quickly introduced and open communication became paramount in keeping up to date with this global health crisis that was changing daily. For our people who were already on site working on a case, strict measures were introduced so that we could continuously assess any potential risks and at the point when the safety of our people and specifically, the medical support response could no longer be guaranteed, we extracted the team chartering planes if required - to bring them safely home.

“The preparations required to ensure the speed in which we respond to international emergencies is certainly far more complex now due to additional quarantine regulations. Therefore, it’s more important than ever that we continue with an agile approach and respond accordingly to the changing nature of this crisis in the months to come.”

anniversary of its presence in Singapore.

Smit Internationale South East Asia (SISEA) was registered in July 1975.

There have been numerous business developments over the years including adding more services like dredging and heavy marine transport in the form of Dockwise but the core values remained the same. On the anniversary, Richard Janssen particularly noted the “great contribution to the company’s success of the drive and commitment of the local staff.”

Tanker disasters

Resolve Resolve Marine reports that it was involved in a many global projects when the pandemic started requiring, said Joseph Farrell III, Director Business Development, Resolve Marine, “agile decision making that ensured team safety, environmental protection, and casualty resolution.”

Mr Farrell continued, “on a normal response, Resolve’s mobilisation is a well-oiled machine but weeks into the pandemic, response teams were jumping hoops to ensure hazardous cargo did not spill into the North Atlantic.

Above:Archive picture of naval architect, Henk Hoeksma with the first Singaporean naval architect, Lee Hiok Liang.

Tsavliris Salvage The 11th Hydra Shipping Conference was held in September on Hydra Island by the Fraternity of the Athenian Hydriots.

The theme was “Greek Shipping, a factor of International Influence & National Defense of Greece” and the confenrence was chaired and moderatred by George A Tsavliris (picture below), and was a success despite the Coronavirus difficulties.

Smit has also noted the expansion of its salvage activities in the USA after it acquired Ardent Americas together with fellow ISU member Donjon Marine. It has raised US DonjonSmit’s OPA90 market share to 50%.

Smit has also celebrated the 45th

the auspices of the Ministry of Shipping, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and a number of other major Greek and international shipping and finance organisations and associations.

The conference was organised under

The VLCC NEW DIAMOND experienced a major fire off Sri Lanka (above). After intense firefighting over a number of days, salvage teams and staff from the Sri Lanka Navy were able to board the tanker and assess its stability and to vent the interior of toxic gases.

Some bunker fuel had leaked to the sea but there were no reports of a major spill. The issue of a place of refuge was raised as the Sri Lankan authorities were reported to have refused the vessel entry to its ports for fear of significant possible oil pollution.

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“Just as we have adapted and grown in the past, the new challenges presented by COVID-19 have strengthened Resolve’s ability to evolve and move forward.”

Resolve said its response teams have “excelled” as they developed plans and mobilised assets that comply with travel restrictions, team connectivity, and client and environmental obligations.

Antillana Cuban ISU member, Antillana de Salvamento, has announced the appointment of Lazaro Roman Rodriguez as successor to Rolando A Diaz Chamizo who has decided to retired after 10 years as manager director.

Before joining Antillana, Lazaro Roman was Director of the Cuban Coast Guard.

He graduated from the Cuban Naval Academy and Soviet Union University and for all of his career he has been in maritime activities.

Elsewhere, a loaded oil products tanker collided with a freighter outside the Yangtze River estuary off Shanghai. The cargo ship sank and the tanker caught fire. 14 crew from both vessels were lost and three rescued.The Shanghai Maritime Search and Rescue Centre and the Shanghai Emergency Management Bureau dispatched SAR vessels, skimmers, salvage vessels and firefighting vessels.

Chinese media said that no significant pollution was reported and the cause of the collision is under investigation.

Associates’ and Affiliates' News Hill Dickinson

HFW

Tony Goldsmith, partner, master mariner and marine casualty specialist, has been appointed as Head of Marine and Trade at Hill Dickinson.

HFW analysis of global maritime arbitration case statistics shows that London continues to dominate as the most trusted arbitration centre for resolving international shipping disputes. London handled 1,737 maritime arbitrations in 2019 – up 14% on the previous year – which is some 83% of all international maritime arbitrations, according to HFW analysis of data from more than 10 major arbitral institutions around the world.

Singapore and Hong Kong – London's two strongest competitors – saw 229 and 124 international maritime arbitrations in 2019, respectively.

Mr Goldsmith will succeed the firm’s current Head of Marine, David Wareing, who is due to retire in the autumn.

Mr Goldsmith, a former seagoing master mariner, joined Hill Dickinson in 1993 and became founder and managing partner of the firm’s Singapore office when it opened in 2009. He returned to the UK earlier this year.

Hill Dickinson chief executive Peter Jackson said: "Tony Goldsmith is hugely respected as a maritime law specialist, particularly in the field of marine casualty.

Hill Dickinson’s reputation was built on our expertise in maritime law and it remains one of the cornerstones of who we are today."

Craig Neame, Partner, HFW, said: "This data clearly shows the extent of London's continued dominance in the international maritime arbitration industry, and we see nothing to suggest that will change anytime soon. Credibility and trust in London's arbitration centres remain high among international parties – the London Maritime Arbitrators' Association accounted for 96% of all international maritime arbitrations globally in 2019.”

Global Diving Working with JAG Alaska, operator of the Seward Ship Lift, Global deployed two four-person dive teams to support the dry docking of the University of Alaska Fairbanks research vessel, RV SIKULIAQ - 3,429 grt.

Tony Goldsmith is regularly instructed by the leading P&I clubs, hull underwriters and owners and operators of vessels to protect their interests following casualties.

These include collisions, groundings, fires, structural failures and sinkings.

Mr Goldsmith has been succeeded in the firm’s Singapore office by marine trade and energy partner, Andrew Lee.

IUMI presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends during its annual conference which was held online.

Marine underwriting premiums for 2019 were estimated to be USD 28.7 billion which represents a 0.9% reduction from 2018. The global income was split between these geographic regions: Europe 46.3%, Asia/Pacific 31.8%, Latin America 10.3%, North America 5.3%, Other 6.3%.

For global marine premium by line of business, cargo continued to represent the largest share with 57.5% in 2019, hull 24.1%, offshore energy 11.7% and marine liability (excluding the IGP&I) 6.8%.

Philip Graham, Chair of IUMI’s Facts & Figures Committee, put the numbers into context: “The numbers we are reporting today cover the 2019 underwriting year and are pre-COVID-19.

"In the past, we’ve been able to analyse trends to get an understanding of potential future outcomes but COVID is such a significant global event that it will inevitably impact on all statistics, including IUMI’s.

“Clearly there is a lag between IUMI’s reported 2019 numbers and the effect that COVID is having on the marine insurance markets.

"The loss ratio figures as of 2019 suggest the start of a modest recovery in the hull and cargo segments and a continued fragile balance in the energy segment, but it is still early days and it remains to be seen how far COVID-19 will impact these trends.

Before joining the then-named Hill Taylor Dickinson in 1993, Mr Goldsmith was a deck officer with Ocean Fleets, sailing on tankers, bulk carriers and general cargo vessels.

Following time spent working on offshore vessels in the North Sea, he began studying for his LLB at Queen Mary and Westfield College, London in 1989, passing his Law Society finals with distinction in 1994.

International Union of Marine Insurance

During the process, two Global divers were deployed at the bow and two at the stern.

Maintaining constant communications with the dive supervisor and JAG’s topside dry docking team, the in-water divers positioned fore and aft worked simultaneously to verify positioning of the vessel over the blocking system and support towers at the bow and stern.

The team completed the complex manoeuvering process over a period of three hours.

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“One consequence of COVID is that people are travelling less and buying less.

This has translated into a lower utilisation of certain vessel classes such as containerships, cruise ships and yachts.

"A direct result is the abnormally low level of claims incidents recorded in recent months. While this is good for underwriters in the short-term, we should be wary of a return to normality as untilisation begins to increase.”

Multraship - emergency responses in the Black Sea and Denmark At the end of July, the cargo vessel MV DENIZ S - laden with 4500 tonnes of scrap steel - suffered serious water ingress in cargo hold No 1 while on passage in the Black Sea and required emergency salvage assistance.

Multraship immediately dispatched the tugs MULTRATUG 26 and ALIOTH from Bourgas to the casualty. On arrival, the tugs found the vessel with a list to port and down by her bow, with the main deck on the port side near sea level (see picture top left, front page).

Three salvage pumps were transferred to the DENIZ S to pump out water from cargo hold No 1 and stabilize the vessel. The salvors applied for a Port

of Refuge which was granted by the port of Bourgas and she was carefully towed stern-first to Bourgas anchorage where additional pumps were put on board. Divers and the salvage master inspected the vessel and made temporary repairs to the damage they found.

Salvors continued to pump out the hold and forepeak until the vessel’s list had decreased to around 5 degrees and entrance into the port of Bourgas was possible and the vessel was safely redelivered.

The fishing vessel SURSUM CORDA grounded on the beach between Løkken and Nørre Lyngby, Denmark after engine trouble (below). Initial local

refloating efforts were not successful and Multraship was tasked with the refloating.The MULTRATUG 17 was sent from the Netherlands to the site in northen Denmark and the salvage vessel MULTRASALVOR 4 sailed from Germany. The Danish dredging vessel TOSTE R and the Danish tug SKINFAXE R were also engaged.

A trench was dredged around the stranded vessel and she was refloated by the two tugs on a rising tide and towed to Thyborøn where the fish was unloaded before a dive inspection was carried out. Damage to hull appeared to be less than expected and SURSUM CORDA was towed to the Netherlands for repair.

Picture courtesy: Jens Kranen

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Smit Salvage - operations around the world The 120 metre inland vessel PAMPERO collided with one of the gates of the Sablons lock on the Rhone River, France, while carrying about 2,000 tons of vinyl chloride.

The cargo was highly flammable with an immediate threat to local residents.

Local organisations weren't equipped to deal with the situation and Smit was engaged to provide professional salvage expertise - removing the cargo safely and advising insurers and the authorities about the measures needed to prevent a disaster.

Elsewhere, in 2013, the 75 metre OSV RAMCO CRUSADER sank 45 km off Fortaleza, Brazil. The vessel was upside down on the seabed at a depth of 25 metres.

In 2019, a Smit salvage team mobilised the Smitbarge 1 and applied patches to make a large number of tanks airtight.

A network of pipes and connections to the various compartments was also installed. However, bad weather caused a suspension of operations until this spring when the barge, towed by the AHTS SOVEREIGN, returned to site with the 20-strong salvage team.

While complying with all the COVID-19 restrictions, the diving team started to check the tanks and patches from 2019. The vessel was still upside down and the refloating was described as an “extremely complicated and risky operation”. Every small opening in the holds had to be made airtight and tested

underwater in extremely poor visibility but the OSV was successfully refloated.

Further north, the general cargo vessel NOMADIC MILDE ran aground in the Mississippi in Louisiana in May and she was quickly refloated in the first salvage operation in the USA after the acquisition of Ardent Americas (see Members’ News P x), with whom the NOMADIC MILDE shipping company had an OPA-90 contract.

that the damage to the hull was far more extensive than anticipated which, combined with the worst ice season in 30 years, led to the 2019 campaign being halted.

Four different removal methods were subsequently developed and examined using the knowledge already gained although forecasting the ice conditions continued to pose the biggest risk.

Certainty of removal was essential for the client and cutting-up in situ and subsequent disposal was selected.

Even further north, Smit Salvage has successfully removed the wreckage of the fishing vessel NORTHGUIDER from her grounded and partially submerged position on Sparreneset in the Nordaustlandet nature reserve, in the northern part of Svalbard, also known as Spitsbergen.

At the start of July 2020, Smit began its “return to Spitsbergen” with the mobilisation of a fleet of nine vessels including two barges, an accommodation vessel and tugs, 40 salvage and demolition personnel and heavy machinery and equipment.

The NORTHGUIDER ran aground and foundered in December 2018. After an initial bunker removal operation

by Ardent Global, Smit Salvage was awarded the wreck removal contract in June 2019 which was based on preparing, parbuckling and patching of the hull for a supported refloating of the wreck.

Smit said that “working in one of the most hostile and remote locations on the planet was no mean feat”. It included managing and mitigating the impact of high winds and low temperatures on personnel and machinery, compliance with the polar code for vessels, ice in the water and inside the wreck and the presence of magnificent but dangerous polar bears.

The pristine and sensitive environment and wildlife meant careful attention was given to the environmental impact of the operation and major mitigating measures were undertaken and Smit, together with fellow ISU member, Multraship, started with the removal activities. However, during the parbuckling phase it became clear

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The wreck was successfully cut up and loaded onto the barges for transportation and disposal. The wreck and debris were removed well ahead of schedule and in “excellent cooperation” with the owners’ P&I Club, Gard, and the local authorities and Governor of Svalbard.

Tsavliris operational roundup In July, the bulk carrier OURANIA LUCK - 75,961 tonnes dwt and laden with 44,834 tonnes of maize – grounded in the Parana River, Argentina, blocking the navigation channel. The vessel was on passage from San Lorenzo, Argentina to Oman and Kuwait via Necochea.

Tsavliris despatched a salvage master and engaged agents, an oil spill response company and a sounding boat. The tug BRUTUS (BHP 5,400 - BP 72) was sent from Rosario and the tug RANQUEL (BHP 4,500 - BP 78) from San Lorenzo as well as a dive boat with divers for underwater inspection.

After preparations, the salvage operation which involved pulling, pushing and scouring was carried out and the casualty was refloated. The next day the vessel anchored safely at General Lagos Roads and the tug BRUTUS provided standby services until the coastguard finalised inspections and the operation was completed successfully. A dive survey was later carried out at Necochea.

On the same day the OURANIA LUCK job was completed, the bulker DINO - 33,371 dwt and loaded with 27,500 tonnes of maize and soya bean meal grounded nearby at Rosario. Tsavliris

dispatched BRUTUS and a salvage master from Buenos Aires and the same day the vessel was refloated.

Also in July, Tsaviliris undertook the operation to remove the drilling equipment from the drill ship DISCOVERER INDIA (top right) before she went into layup. It was necessary in order to reduce the vessel’s draught to enable her to berth at Platygialy Port, Astakos, Greece.

The deck cargo barge AMT VENTURER had been engaged to transport the equipment to the port for discharge ashore and, during a three week period, some 15 trips were made to and from the ship to the port by the barge under tow, transporting cargo and transferring personnel.

Alfons Håkans refloats grounded ferry The RoRo AMORELLA grounded on 20 September in the Åland archipelago, Finland, and was beached by her crew for the safety of the passengers and the crew onboard. Alfons Håkans mobilised a team of 11 professional salvors to the casualty as well as three tugs and a dive support vessel to assist the refloating of the ferry.

AMORELLA was refloated on 23 September and, following a dive inspection, was towed to the nearby port of Långnäs where trucks, cars and motorbikes were discharged. There were no delays to any other passenger vessels using the port and AMORELLA was then towed to Turku Repair Yard in Naantali and redelivered on 25 of September.

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After completion of the cargo handling, the drill ship was towed and berthed at Platygialy Port and the operation was successfully completed. The operation was undertaken by Tsavliris’ Patrasbased tugs PROTEAS (BHP 3,200 - BP 45) and HERMES (BHP 2,725 - BP 43).

The HERMES was also in action in September, going to the assistance of the passenger/cruise ship AEGEAN MAJESTY - 57,092 grt - which was berthed at Katakolo Port, Peloponese, Greece, during the cyclone “Ianos”.

The liner’s mooring lines had parted five times during a force 11/12 gale with torrential rain and, on her arrival, HERMES secured the vessel by pushing her towards the dock in order to prevent the mooring lines from parting again.

Resolve Marine recovers Alaskan gold mining barge As most of the US states were welcoming spring, Resolve Alaska response teams mobilised in sub-zero weather to assist a mining platform barge grounded in shallow water west of Nome Harbor.

Weather conditions turned in the team’s favour with a warming trend that changed the requirement of the casualty’s situation from ice mitigation to sandy beach grading.

In response to the weather changes, the

salvors quickly adapted their activities to secure the vessel on the beach as they elevated the barge in preparation for survey teams to make recovery plans.

Fabricated towing point welded to the mining barge (below) enabling connection to deadman anchor (left).

The casualty, a dredge barge used for placer gold mining, was surrounded by ice and drawing five feet of water aft and four feet forward. Response teams from Resolve’s Dutch Harbor facility transported equipment to the grounding site, commenced ice thawing operations and secured the deadmen anchor.

By air and overland, Resolve then also transported excavators, welding equipment and pumps to lighter the barge so it could be dug out of ice. Once free from the ice, the team was able to set rigging and roller bags to pull the vessel to a safe landing on the beach.

Five Oceans Salvage operations In June, the bulker AMBER L - 47,000 tones dwt and laden with cement clinker - ran aground off Biringkassi, Indonesia shortly after leaving her loading port.

A Lloyd’s Open Form was agreed between Five Oceans Salvage and her owners the same day. Due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, salvors were unable to mobilize their own salvage personnel or assets to Indonesia.

The local Indonesian flagged tug LOGINDO STURDY was chartered to

assist and the salvors sub-contracted the services of the Indonesian Navy for the refloating operation.

Initial re-floating attempts by pulling were not successful and therefore a lightering operation was undertaken to remove 3,900 tonnes of cargo onto a barge and the vessel was successfully re-floated, the cargo back loaded and the vessel was redelivered to her owners.

After the LOF termination, the salvors provided a diving team and equipment to facilitate the Class survey required for the vessel to be granted departure clearance and assisted with local formalities required for the casualty to be allowed to leave the country. AMBER L was granted Class approval and port clearance and left Indonesia to resume her voyage a month after the grounding.

In another operation, the bulk carrier EDELWEISS - 73,000 tonnes dwt - was immobilized in the Indian Ocean due to mechanical failure while laden and bound for Quinzhou, China.

Five Oceans Salvage dispatched its station-keeping salvage tug IONIAN SEA FOS from her salvage station in Port Louis, Mauritius to assist the casualty on 8

commercial terms.

The tug reached the casualty on the following day, connected a towline and towed her to the destination port in China.

The convoy reached Quinzhou Roads five weeks after the initial dispatch of the tug and EDELWEISS was delivered to local tugs for berthing.

Shipping and COVID-19 Members of the ISU have continued to deliver vital services around the world despite the COVID-19 pandemic - as shown on the front page of this edition of Salvage World. Logistics and the movement of teams are the key challenges.

In the wider shipping industry, crew welfare has been a major issue with hundreds of thousands of seafarers affected by the inability to conduct routine crew changes. It has meant distressing extended periods onboard well beyond the normal duty periods and in many cases breaching international regulations with more than 12 months continuous time at sea.

Trade associations and seafarers’ groups have raised the concern that the situation compromises vessel safety. Intercargo, for example, said: “This situation is exacerbated by the fact that bulk carriers on tramp trading call at many more ports than other shipping sectors do, piling added strain on an already fatigued workforce with no hope of crew change.

The two key bottlenecks are the airlines’ unwillingness to make flights available

between shipping destinations and crew source countries and the lack of commitment from national health and immigration authorities to facilitate seafarers’ travelling and issue of visas."

the ITF Maritime Coordinator warned against the “toxic effects” of COVID-19, fatigue and safety at sea, exposing the safety of crews and the protection of the marine environment to much greater risks.

There is a cross-industry recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the pandemic which places great emphasis on accurate testing procedures, especially for on-signing crew.

With six months experience and knowledge of COVID-19, International Chamber of Shipping has now published a new, fully updated version of Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers, reflecting the latest thinking and advice on the virus. The guidance is free to download from the International Chambers of Shipping’s website www.ics-shipping.org

Spyros Tarasis, Vice-Chairman of Intercargo said: “This has become a talking shop. Everybody knows where the problems lie – with the airlines, with visas and with health authorities not recognising seafarers as key workers. But nothing is being done, and very soon the shipping industry itself may well be obliged/forced to stop the trading of cargoes essential for welfare and sustaining the smooth running of societies worldwide.”

The group Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) linked a spate of high profile casualties with the issue. SRI Advisory Board Member, Dave Heindel, Chairman of the International Transport Federation Seafarers’ Section, and Jacqueline Smith,

Wakashio - major bulker incident, Mauritius The WAKASHIO, a Capesize bulker, ran aground on a coral reef offshore Mauritius in late July and started to break up, releasing almost 800 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean.

As soon as the weather permitted, a 30-strong Smit salvage team began removing the remaining bunker fuel - more than three thousand tonnes - in the face of bad weather and high waves.

When the weather was favourable, it was possible to transfer the oil to a chartered tanker; and the salvage team pumped the bunkers into large portable tanks on deck that, during heavy seas when the tanker could not remain alongside the casualty, were taken away by helicopters.

Working with local responders and the Mauritian authorities, the team eventually managed to remove all the oil, a staggering 80-85% of the original amount, including that which had flowed to other parts of the vessel and all hydraulic systems.

As a precaution, a tug connection was

established by drone between the WAKASHIO and the BOKA EXPEDITION so immediate action could be taken if the ship broke up, which did indeed happened on 15 August.

After the bow section broke off completely from the stern, a towing connection was also rigged up to the BOKA SUMMIT. The tugs, each with 205 tonnes of bollard pull, managed to refloat the forward part 9

of the ship on the night of 18-19 August and to tow it to a location designated by the authorities (above) where it was scuttled in a controlled way in accordance with the instructions of the client and the authorities.

The process of sanitising the stern section is ongoing, as is the process to determine the removal of the stern part, still grounded on the reef.

UK raises the possibility of more Emergency Towing Vessels The UK government is considering its position on the use of ETVs following an independent review of the risks to shipping within the UK’s EEZ. The review has been published by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency which has said there is an argument that ETVs could be needed despite having being phased out years ago in most parts of the UK except Scotland.

The report was initiated from a recommendation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to assess the risk to and from shipping in the Dover Strait, following a shipping incident in November 2016. That incident was localised but the scope of the recommendation was expanded to include the entire EEZ. The UK’s current emergency towage provision, in addition to commercially available tugs, is the IEVOLI BLACK. This ocean-going tug has been operating

Obituary - Patrick Hawkins

off northern and north western Scotland and the Scottish Isles since 2016. It is contracted by the MCA until the end of 2021.

Recommendations from the report have been based on an assessment of the risk of incidents occurring; impact on the marine environment; regional marine economic dependency; the economic cost from an oil spill and cost benefit analysis of emergency towage options.

The study covered the entirety of the UK EEZ but also focussed on seven key shipping and environmentally sensitive geographical areas.

Russel Freeman from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "There are no quick answers with this. The independent report makes it clear that there isn’t a definitive cost benefit to employing ETVs but because prevention is better than

– most recently successfully taking the landmark, and important, case of the Renos to the Supreme Court.

This was reflected in his wide client base which included some of the world's leading shipowners, P&I insurers and salvors.” Other colleagues praised Mr Hawkins’ appreciation of the commercial aspects of cases.

Patrick Hawkins was educated at Cambridge University and the College of Law, gaining first class honours in the Law Society finals. He qualified in 1987 and joined Hill Dickinson’s Liverpool office in the same year.

Patrick Hawkins, who had a 33 year association with Hill Dickinson, has passed away at the age of 59. He was founding partner and head of the Hill Dickinson Piraeus office for 26 years.

David Pitlarge, Hill Dickinson partner, who was recruited by Patrick in Piraeus in 2005, recalled: “As a practitioner, Patrick was extremely knowledgeable, quick and tremendously versatile. He had a genuine mastery of the various esoteric aspects of shipping law.

"He also understood – very well – all aspects of the law of marine insurance

On qualification as a solicitor, he headed to Athens where he joined Greek law firm Vgenopoulos & Partners, leaving it in 1993 to set up the Piraeus Office of Hill Taylor Dickinson. In 2005 Hill Taylor Dickinson remerged with Hill Dickinson and Patrick continued to lead the Piraeus Office until his death.

Fluent in Greek, Patrick was heavily involved in both wet and dry litigation for the Greek shipping market. He regularly handled complex work in the High Court in the UK and in London-based arbitration proceedings.

He had a particular expertise in salvage work, acting both for owners and their 10

dealing with the result of an incident, there is an argument that says we do need them.

"The Government believes the responsibility for the cost of shipping should be borne by the industry and not the taxpayer. However, we also recognise the waters around north and north-west Scotland are a special case because of their significant environmental sensitivity and their contribution to both the Scottish and UK economy.

"We are looking at the report and its recommendations, particularly in the light of the comments around provision in the South West Approaches, but taking account of the relative priority in the context of the current spending environment."

insurers as well as a number of leading salvors in the Greek market.

Mr Hawkins is particularly remembered within Hill Dickinson for his mentoring skills and ability to nurture young talent.

Colleague and partner in the Piraeus office, Maria Moisidou, remarked: “According to Patrick, success is measured by the number of the partners of the future he or she has mentored and created.

"Based on his own definition, Patrick was extremely successful, having shared his practice, knowledge and experience with the future generations by building up lasting relationships based on unlimited trust. So many of us would not be where we are now without Patrick.”

David Wareing and Tony Goldsmith, heads of Hill Dickinson’s Marine and Trade Group, said: “Patrick’s total commitment to his work and clients continued until the day he was taken ill which makes his passing even more of a shock.

Our thoughts are with Vicky, his two daughters Myrto and Thalia, his brother Mike and all members of his family in Greece and the UK. He will be greatly missed in both countries by so many of us in the marine industry.”

International Monitor Paris MoU on Port State Control The Paris MoU organisation has published its annual “White”, “Grey” and “Black” lists showing the number of vessel detentions

by Flag State.

The UK topped the White list with 10 detentions from more than 1000 inspections followed by Norway, Bahamas and the Netherlands. At the other end of the scale, Togo and Albania were second and third from last in the Black list and Comoros was at the bottom with 69 detentions from 380 inspections.

Engine room safety The design, complexity and arrangement of engine rooms across the global shipping fleet vary far more widely than for bridges, but there has been no dedicated guidance for safe engine room operations.

In response, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the ICS Engine Room Procedures Guide.

It provides comprehensive guidance on engine room procedures, to ensure that ships’ engine rooms are operated and managed safely while at the same time continuing to protect the environment.

Modelled on the globally recognised ICS Bridge Procedures Guide, the guidance in this new publication is relevant for all types of merchant ships and can be purchased from ICS Publications.

Australia The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued recommendations following inquiries into the loss of two fishing vessels in which all but one crew member lost their lives.

CASSANDRA was a prawn trawler that capsized due to its trawl gear getting hooked up on the sea floor. DIANNE was

a sea cucumber harvesting vessel, which capsized in heavy seas.

The recommendations relate to stability as both vessels had previously been modified in ways that may have reduced their stability and to the procedure for recovering fouled fishing gear.

Further, the Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) were not activated in both incidents leading to a delay in search and rescue operations.

AMSA has introduced new requirements for float-free EPIRBs to be fitted on certain types of vessels. These changes take effect from 1 January 2021. Other recommendations concern loose equipment and use of lifejackets with personal locator beacons.

and property.

Using a risks and barriers methodology, a newly established risk advisory function within the OCIMF Secretariat is now responsible for identifying those risks that are most likely to impact on the activities of OCIMF members.

OCIMF was formed in April 1970 in response to the growing public concern about marine pollution, particularly by oil, after the Torrey Canyon incident in 1967.

Today, OCIMF’s membership includes every oil major in the world along with the majority of National Oil Companies.

Yemen

UK

The ageing and weakened oil tanker, SAFER, used as a floating storage and offtake vessel off Yemen continues to be a concern.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency is investing over £170 million in a new radio network to be built and maintained by telent Technology Services Ltd.

The long-running fighting in the country has so far prevented efforts to assess and repair the tanker despite UN led attempts to negotiate access for a specialist team.

The existing network will be replaced with a modern fibre-based hybrid network that will provide increased reliability, bandwidth and security.

There is nevertheless some optimism that the Houthis group does want repairs to be made in order that the cargo can be kept on board.

The programme will replace old existing copper telephone wiring with modern fibre-based technology to each of the coastguard’s 155 remote radio sites, as well as adding new connection points to increase resilience and diversity which will in turn improve reliability.

The UN plan originally called for carrying out the necessary repairs and immediately unloading the oil to avoid an environmental disaster.

A future benefit of the programme will see remote towns and villages in the proximity of the network being able to utilise the new fibre infrastructure to access improved technology services from a broad base of suppliers.

Water has already started to leak into SAFER’s engine room, prompting UN officials to warn of a major impending environmental disaster in the Red Sea, as well as the potential risk of explosion caused by the build-up of gases in the storage tanks.

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) OCIMF, the voluntary association of oil companies, has announced that it has overhauled its committee structure to focus its resources on identifying and mitigating issues of highest-risk to its members and to the marine industry as determined by its revised strategy.

OCIMF’s scope of operations and remit remains the same, but its strategy places a renewed emphasis on the way it identifies, analyses and assesses the issues that have the biggest impact on the safety of lives, the natural environment 11

INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION Salvage World is produced by the International Salvage Union.

For general enquiries contact: ISU, Holland House 1-4 Bury Street London EC3A 5AW Tel: +44 20 7220 6597 Email: ISU@marine-salvage.com