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Wreck removal postponed
The work on removing the 'Northguider' in Kinnvika, Svalbard, has been postponed until 2020 by the Coastal Administration on Oct 15. After the wreck removal operation was started, it was found that the vessel sustained more damage than initially anticipated. Combined with long delays due to difficult ice and weather conditions, the shipping company's insurance company Gard and the salvage company SMIT Salvage have now decided to postpone the work of removing the wreck next year.
Trawler suffered more damage than expected
The salvage of the 'Northguider' in the Hinlopen Straitwas further complicated as the ship has sustained more damage than initially anticipated. The Norwegian Coastal Administration was now awaiting response from the shipping company and the insurance company about a further plan for the wreck removal. SMIT salvage has recently managed to correct the list after having encountered challenging ice and wind conditions. Then it turned out that the damage to the hull is far greater than expected with a leak of 12x 5 meters which cannot be sealed with the methods the salvors had envisaged to use. The owner Opilio AS, the insurance company Gard and the salvage company were now considering alternatives for the progress of the work which may be postponed until next summer. The Norwegian Coastal Administration was very disappointed that the planned operation has not gone ahead as planned but was nevertheless pleased that a thorough job was done to remove fuel, oil and other pollution sources from the wreck. The Governor will cooperate with the Norwegian Coastal Administration in the follow-up. Norwegian report with photos: https://www.kystverket.no/Nyheter/2019/oktober/forsinket/?fbclid=IwAR0OVsIH7TtKUzpFKHJtRv3zlp0eT10iP9OqeQnKbt_uHOl4ukpY_efUqv8
Salvage had to be postponed
The 'Northguider' may be left wrecked for another year in the Hinlopen Strait. Heavy winds and ice have put a stop to the salvage work. The salvors had many more interruptions due to wind and ice than expected. It has not been possible to carry out the diving operations because they have been forced to shelter. The original plan was for the removal to be completed by the end of September, but this has not been possible. Smit Salvage has its employees currently in Longyearbyen, where a crew change was also to be made. The Norwegian Coastal Administration reported extreme amounts of ice in the region. Therefore, two new tugs were on their way to the Hinlopen Strait to try to keep the masses of ice away. Never before it has been attempted to carry out a salvage operation so far to the north. The shrimp trawler was listing 80 degrees and had a large hole in the hull in the engine room area.there is now a change in plans to save the trawler. It was now thought desirable to move the vessel to a more sheltered location, which means that the hull must be temporarily patched. In the new position, however, work may be done without interruption. However, the goal of the operation was still to get the vessel on the right keel and tow it to Bergen where it is to be broken up.
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