Salvage Operation to Refloat Barge Trias Succeeded

Alfons Håkans has successfully refloated the barge Trias on late Sunday evening January 19, 2020. The barge was aground on a protected Natura 2000 area on the Latvian shore.

The Estonian Raduga Shipping’s barge Trias (overall length 101m and breadth 19m) was under tow when the towline parted during poor weather on December 31, 2019. Consequently, the barge drifted aground near Ventspils, Latvia.

Preparations for salvage, led by Salvage Master Pekka Arasola, started immediately on January 5, 2020 after Alfons Håkans was contracted to salve the barge. Tugs Thor and Poseidon were quickly mobilized to the area. Yet heavy swell slowed down the process.

"Because of the temperate winter, weather on the Baltic Sea has been extremely windy. Since the coast area of Latvia is exposed to SW winds, the salvage was demanding. Nevertheless, safe salvage carried out with minimal environmental impact was our utmost priority. We thank local authorities for efficient co-operation that made this possible," Managing Director Joakim Håkans summarizes.

The barge was not damaged during the process. Neither did it cause any environmental threats. The barge is towed to Riga to be handed back to her owners.