Container Ship Aground off Dover

[Darren]

Anglian Monarch standing by with 152 tonnes bollard pull.

Svitzer Victory 64.8 tbp on scene.

Tugs Adsteam Mercia 42.6 tbp & Multratug 7 with 52 tonne bollard pullonly a few minutes away.

With a combined bollard pull of over 312 tonnes they should make some impact.

If they fail then I guess it will be the weekend before the tides start to rise sufficiently enough.

Had to laugh at the BBC report when the presenter said the ship was carrying 40,000 containers, thats 3 times bigger than the E class of Maersk's !!!!

[Ship's Cat]

Had to laugh at the BBC report when the presenter said the ship was carrying 40,000 containers, thats 3 times bigger than the E class of Maersk's !!!!

Well that's our UK media for you, not ones to let the truth get in the way of a good story. Accuracy isn't their strong point and that goes for the BBC as much as anyone.

[henrycourt]

There are currently 4 tugs (Coastguard Tug--ADSTEAM MERCIA--MULTRATUG 7--SVITZER VICTORY) around LT CORTESIA. Don't you think they might try to pull her out stern first if she's that far in !!! According to my little book this mornings high tide was 5.5m tonights 5.2m tomorrow mornings 5.4m so if they can't do it tonight tomorrow morning looks favourite. If not the next tides higher than this mornings are 5.1.08 0855hrs 5.6m and 5.1.08 2125hrs 5.7m rgds jw.

[Harvey Tait]

The Varne seems to attract trouble - report of 26th April 2006.

At 1645UTC the bulk carrier Lowlands Maine grounded at a speed of 15.5 knots on the Varne Bank in the Dover Straits; weather conditions were good and the visibility excellent. The Chief Officer was the 1600-2000 watch officer, and a bridge lookout was posted. During the build up to, and at the actual time of the grounding, the Master was at the rear of the bridge communicating with the vessel

[Nathan]

Tugs - now there are more tugs on the scene, it should be possible. But what if there is unseen damage and removing the vessel could make it worse? Has there been a assesment yet?
- Nathan

[MK]

I actually do not think she will float again so easy. Many tugs and if not, a barge to put some containers aside to relief her, then maybe. Let'S see... :-? IT would be a big operation with a container carrier those proportions. It could make the rush at bank worse. Some crack or rupture then from the hull someway, if some load do not fall into water. :-( Maybe some sand should be pumped out lower hull, I think if the Tugs do not help. :-?

[henrycourt]

Looking at Lloyds AIS-Live close up screen it might be good news on the tow off, there appears to be minute movement with the three commercial tugs towing it backwards. rgds jw 1911 utc...

[henrycourt]

Not quite sure what's happening now, MULTRATUG 7 seems to have disappeared off somewhere, puzzling Rgds jw. 1927 UTC...

[miraflores]

http://www.aisliverpool.co.uk/showship.php?refresh=2&count=1&map=-1&mmsi=218059000

This shows, that all the tugs and the Cortesia are underway in NE'ly direction with a speed of app. 2 - 3 kn.
That means, the ship is free?
rgds Juergen

[henrycourt]

Looyds AIS Live showing LT CORTESIA at 1943 UTC in Position N50.58.938 E 01.22.036 on a heading of 297 at 3.2k being towed backwards hopefully into deep water. SVITZER VICTORY AND ADSTEAM MERCIA doing a superb job. Keep going lads. rgds. jw.

[henrycourt]

at 1950 utc now showing crossing a 30m depth line. Good news hopefully. rgds jw.

[henrycourt]

From my very loose calculations she may have been towed in excess of a nautical mile by now. Rgds jw.

[Ray Waters]

Ive been watching the Rescue on Shipplotter and she is definately on the move, three tugs pulled her they were Adsteam Victory, Adsteam Mercia and Multratug7.Now going astern at 3.5Knts.Well done!! :-D

[MK]

It seems water got higher and only 3 tugs avoided something worst, it works the tow backwards then and nothing more seriously. A question, would be the case she then towed to some port nearby for inspection? or after towing, she will continue travelling to Suez?. Thanks for all info.

[henrycourt]

MULTRATUG 7 is now back on the scene must have gone to Mcdoughnuts in Dover !!!!