The Daily Echo have reported in the last 30 minutes that the grounded cargo ship on Bramble Bank, the Hoegh Osaka, has gone adrift due to the high tide.
A spokesperson for the salvage operators, Svitzer, told the Daily Echo,
“She appears to have come adrift herself on the high tide.
“They are rushing down there to take advantage of it.
“They are going to see if they can stabilise her and get her off the bank.”
The MCA confirmed at 14.51:
The vessel has self-floated at high water and the intention is to tow her to a holding position in Southampton Water pending a full assessment of her condition. A decision on the next phase of the salvage operation will be made after the assessment.
The Daily Echo goes on to explain that teams have been frantically pumping out water from the ship’s hold after it was found that more water had been seeping in.
They are now taking advantage of the favourable tides and an opportunity to move the ship before a looming front of severe weather bears down on the region today
Update 16:25
The BBC has a video of it floating
Update 16.38:
The MCA say,
“The ship self floated at 1.55pm and all salvors had left the vessel safely. The list of the ship is unchanged and the vessel is currently under tow to a preferred holding position 2 miles east of the original grounding position.
“This new location is just outside Portsmouth Harbour and is close to the area called Spitbank. Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth has established a temporary exclusion zone of 300 metres around the vessel. Only exempt vessels are to enter the exclusion zone.
“The tow to the new position is being carried out by Svitzer, the salvors, and the new holding position will allow a full assessment of her condition. Disruption to the Port of Southampton is minimal; there will be a slight restriction in traffic movements until the Hoegh Osaka is clear of the main channel, but no closure of the port is anticipated.”
More news as we get it.
Article edit: Amended MCA reference to ‘inside Portsmouth harbour’ to ‘outside’.
