Multraship and URS Refloat Grounded Tanker off Vlissingen

Vessel refloated using six tugs, four connected to the grounded tanker and two pushing from the side.

NETHERLANDS-based salvage specialist Multraship Salvage and Belgian salvage specialist URS Salvage & Maritime Contracting have successfully refloated the 25,654 gt oil tanker Akti N after the Liberian-flag vessel ran aground off the Dutch coast, close to Vlissingen Boulevard, a popular Dutch tourist attraction.

The vessel was in ballast and inbound through the Wielingen Channel with a Belgian pilot on board when it reportedly responded to a change of orders and swung onto Flushing Roads. The turn proved to be too tight, however, and the vessel ended up on the beach at Vlissingen, at ebb-tide, at 21.15hrs on June 10.

After discounting initial plans to refloat the vessel under its own power by deballasting, the master of the vessel signed a Lloyd’s Open Form of salvage agreement with Multraship and URS, who refloated the vessel using six tugs, four connected to the grounded tanker and two pushing from the side.

Leendert Muller, managing director of Multraship, says, “Once again we can see an example of the ability of the salvage industry to respond quickly to a maritime emergency, mobilising extensive resources at short notice and working in close co-operation with the local authorities, who were on high alert because the incident occurred in a heavily populated area.”