Stranded Cargo Ship off India Finally Sent to Scrapyard

A cargo ship that ran aground at on one of Mumbai's most popular beaches has finally been refloated after three previously failed attempts.

The 9,367 ton MV WISDOM was safely refloated at 12:45 local time by SMIT International, a Singapore-based salvage company. The vessel is being transported to Mumbai for outer anchorage and will eventually be towed to Alang-Bhavanagar Gujarat for scrapping.

The MV WISDOM was being towed from Colombo to the Alang ship breaking yard in Gujarat by MV Seabulk Plover for scrapping when a cable connecting the two vessels snapped. The MV WISDOM was left drifting and washed ashore on Juhu beach in northwestern Mumbai on June 11.

Salvers had made three unsuccessful attempts to refloat the stranded vessel and had to temporarily suspended salvage operations on June 19 to repair the lead tug vessel.

Finally on Saturday, the Singapore owned ship was refloated and freed from the sea floor.

For the last 20 days the ship had become something of a tourist attraction – contributing to the drowning’s of three curious beach-goers.

An investigation into cause of the incident and whether if any responsibility falls on captain and crew of the MV Seabulk Plover is expected to be released soon.