EFFORTS to salvage the tug boat “Doggers bank” which has been submerged in the Castries Harbour for more than three months, will get underway today.
On October 28, 2014, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) confirmed that the tug, which is owned and operated by a private company, Tugs Ltd., became partially submerged in the Castries Harbour. SLASPA immediately initiated protocols to support public and seafarers’ safety and to ensure business continuity within the Castries Harbour.
The Authority said that the equipment required to perform the salvage operation was unavailable locally, as well as within the wider Caribbean region, so the proprietors secured the requisite equipment and technical expertise from an international organization. The proprietors have exhausted all possible options to ensure the company contracted (Aspiration Maritime Corporation) to lead the resurfacing of the vessel, had extensive experience with such procedures.
Said SLASPA: “This is a delicate process, given the location of the tug and therefore recovery plans are being overseen by SLASPA and external agencies. Following an in-depth evaluation of the submerged vessel by the contractor, a salvage plan for DOGGERS BANK was developed and communicated to the Authority which included all necessary measures and procedures to ensure a safe and secure operation. The salvage is expected to commence on March 3, 2015 and continue for a thirty day period.”
SLASPA’s Director of Maritime Affairs, Mr. Christopher Alexander yesterday assured stakeholders and members of the public that all necessary precautions had been taken to ensure minimal interruption to commercial activities at Port Castries and protect the maritime environment within the harbour during the period of resurfacing.