Thanks to Louisa for this update on behalf of Cowes Harbour Commission. Ed
Activity at the scene continues around the clock with response teams from Adler and Allan, leaders in oil and environmental services, deploying additional oil booms, whilst teams from MMC Diving Services and RS Divers have started to rig air lift bags around the sunken Kahu’s hull. The salvage barge is also now on station on the western side of the Kahu and within an oil containment boom.
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Salvage and pollution control proceeding well
Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbour Master said:
“I’m pleased to report that salvage of the Kahu and pollution control are proceeding well, according to our detailed plans and revised timeline. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the CHC staff and contractors who are working tirelessly to complete this operation in a safe and timely manner.
“This has necessitated teams working around the clock and CHC has received much valuable support from locals. We are making every effort to minimise disruption to river and harbour users and local residents, and I would like to apologise for any temporary disturbances that there may be over the next few days.”
Raising the Kahu
Following a salvage co-ordination meeting in Cowes today, it has been confirmed that the air bag lift to raise the Kahu to just below the water surface is due to take place between approximately 2200 on Monday, 11 November and 0700 on Tuesday, 12 November.
A floating crane barge is expected to arrive in Cowes at 0645 on Tuesday morning and once on station will raise the Kahu’s hull top clear of the water level at around 0800. This will enable the pumping ahore of the vessel’s fuel and water tanks into a waste road tanker. The hull will then be drained of sea water before being craned onto the bunded flat top barge. Once this stage has been reached, the crane barge will depart Cowes whilst the flat top barge and motor yacht will remain overnight in the controlled, oil boom protected salvage zone.
Divers to clear seabed
Wednesday should see the divers undertake a clearance of the seabed where the Kahu’s hull had rested, and a decontamination programme by Adler and Allan of the salvage containment area and barge. The flat top barge, with Kahu onboard, will then be towed to Camber Docks in Portsmouth, subject to agreement by Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth and Portsmouth International Port Harbour Master.
Please note that precise timings are subject to changes in conditions or for operational reasons.
CHC has issued a second Emergency Temporary General Direction 10.2, and Local Notice to Mariners No. 31(T) of 2013, concerning the salvage and counter pollution operations, fairway restrictions and complete closure of the fairway on 12 November. Both documents are available to view on the Harbour Commission’s website at www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk.
A further update and report on the environmental clean-up operation will follow later this week.
