Multraship Completes Successful Deep-Sea Recovery of Sunken Fishing Vessel

NETHERLANDS-based towage and salvage specialist Multraship, working in close co-operation with Croatia-based diving specialist Hidroininjering, has successfully completed the deep-sea recovery of the fishing vessel Marinero 1, which sank in January 2009 off Komia, Vis Island, Croatia.

The 31.75 m-long vessel sunk, as a result of circumstances which have not been established, in a water depth of 80 m. An ROV inspection subsequently revealed that, although the vessel has suffered stern, rudder and propeller damage, there was no other visible damage to the hull. The ROV also showed clearly that the vessel was lying on a sandy bottom with a 20 degree portside list which would allow lifting slings to be positioned beneath it.

Multraship signed a Wreckhire 99 agreement with the owner after close consultation with the insurers of the vessel, Croatia Osiguranje, following which preparations for the recovery began in earnest. The Multraship floating sheerlegs Cormorant was mobilised to Vis Island, a special rigging system was designed for the combined use of deck tackle and an A frame, the Hidroininjering diving team underwent a special training programme, and all the necessary specialist equipment was installed on board the Cormorant.

The nineteen-strong salvage team began work and, under the guidance of an ROV, the divers succeeded in rigging the slings underneath the Marinero 1 and connecting them to the deck tackle system of the Cormorant. The actual lift was performed in three stages and, after switching from the deck tackle to the main tackle in the A frame, the Marinero 1 was lifted to the surface.

Having been patched and dried out, the Marinero 1 was shortly thereafter considered safe afloat and was handed over to its owners, who towed it into the port of Komia

Leendert Muller, managing director of Multraship, says, “The challenging water depth of 80 m was successfully overcome by well trained divers and an experienced salvage team. The combination of the skills of this team, the versatility of the floating sheerlegs Cormorant in four-point mooring, and an ROV for the guidance of the divers, demonstrates very clearly that a deep-sea recovery operation can be both successful and economically viable.”