All set to refloat stranded ship

KARACHI:

Preparations have been completed for an operation to rescue the container vessel Hang Tong 77 stranded at the Sea View Beach.

Seamax, the salvage operation company, has presented its plan to the authorities. The plan outlines three types of strategies. New steel wire mooring ropes have been bought from China exclusively for the operation to replace the ones that frequently break down.

According to Seamax Director Arif Sheikh, a foolproof plan has been drawn up to refloat the ship in which the weight of the ship will be divided into a crane boat and two tugboats and best arrangements have been made on the shore.

He said that ropes have been laid from the ship to the crane and broken anchors of the ship have also been installed on the ship which will support the operation. He said that inspection of the operation area has identified there are three sand dunes near the coast which could hamper the operation.

The crane barge was brought close to the ship while the wire rope was also tied. According to Plan A, the ship will be pulled by ropes tied to the crane boat and tugboats, while wenches installed at shore will help change the direction of the ship. In addition, a second tugboat will provide support for the crane boat. Under Plan B, the ship will be towed 1,500 meters directly from Tugboat Harmony. If Plan C is followed, two tugs, Harmony and Endoper, will pull the ship into deep water so that it can easily float.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2021.