Hoegh Osaka

Hoegh Osaka: Major development announced

This latest update on the Hoegh Osaka in from the MCA, in their own words. Ed


The vessel is stable on Aplha Anchorage and the salvage operation is ongoing.

At 10: 30 today the list had been reduced to 25 degrees. All water has been removed from the car decks and it is anticipated that ballast operations will further reduce the list to 15 – 20 degrees today. At this point MAIB investigators will board the ship to gather information for their investigation. A skeleton ship’s crew will also board the ship in preparation for its move back to Southampton Port.

The exact time for the ship to move from Alpha Anchorage to Southampton Port has not finally determined when the conditions are right to do so, e.g. confidence in the ship’s stability, ship’s systems have been started up successfully, time of tide, wave and weather conditions.

Four hour journey
The journey is expected to take four hours. Four tugs will help bring the ship in and the salvor will be assisted by two pilots and the ship’s master. The document below shows the route the vessel will take and the timings for the journey. The salvors will remain in charge of the ship until it is safely alongside.

During the towing operation to bring the HOEGH OSAKA in to Southampton Port, a Restricted Airspace (Temporary) (RAT) will be placed 1 mile either side of the navigation route and up to 2000 ft. This is designed to provide essential safety during the towing operation.


Image: © HM Coastguard