WEST

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Latest news

Fomento imposed to pay a deposit of 750000 Euros

Marina Mercante imposed Fomento, the owner of the "West", to pay a deposit of 750,000 Euros for the salvage work at the grounded barge "Prima" at Camariñas . The work was expected to take at least three months. The "West" remains retained in the docks of tLa Coruña alongside a vessel of the Maritime Civil Guard. The security deposit was 750,000 euro, another 350,000 were to be paid for services rendered by the Marine Rescue. The split barge could be broken up in situ or cut into three sections, with the bow and stern drained and moved to the coast, while the central part could be transferred to Reira. Another possibility would be the construction of a track from the beach to the rocks to access the remains of the barge with all kinds of material. However, sea conditions in the area could jeopardize the work. The insurer has appointed Smit Tak with the task of removing the remains from the rocks.

300 liters drained from barge

Engineers of the Maritime Global Services and Smit Salvors have been able to drain 300 liters of fuel from the tanks of the "Prima" on the A Rubia rock at Reira beach in Camariñas at the Costa da Morte on Jan 21, after a week of consecutive swell prevented the work. The operation began at noon , when the tide and weather permitted, and concluded about 4,5 hours later at about 4.30 p.m. The five technicians from the port of A Coruña used hoses and pumps to drain the tank, which contained less oil than the estimated 1,000 liters and pumped it to tanks ashore. The fuel thad been used to power an auxiliary motor and a generator . There was a tiny spot of oil observed in the sea at the stern of the wreck but there was no risk of significant environmental damage. Spanish report with video: http://www.vtelevision.es/informativosv/2014/01/21/0031_26_199800.htm

Grounded barge to be dismantled

On Jan 17, 2014, bad weather prevented the removal of the oil on board the barge "Prima" which was towed by the "West" when it ran aground in Punta do Boi in Camariñas (La Coruña). On Jan 14 a contamination had been reported which was confirmed by Salvamente Maritimo. The barge had a fracture in the midship body after having spent several days being battered by strong waves. It was fitted out with a very small auxiliary engine, so the spill was very minor. Another attempt to removed the diesel was to be started once conditions improved which was not expected before Jan 18. The owner of the "West" which was detained by the port captain of La Coruña presented a plan for removal of the remains and contracted a Dutch salvage company with the dismantling of the barge. Spanish reports with photos: http://www.diariosigloxxi.com/texto-ep/mostrar/20140117145400/el-mal-tiempo-impide-retirar-el-gasoleo-de-la-gabarra-embarrancada-en-camarinas-la-coruna http://www.mundiario.com/album/fotos/vistas-espectaculares-olas-golpearon-todo-dia-gabarra-prima/20140115001753014094.html