Vessel | : | M/T 'BRILLANTE VIRTUOSO' |
Date | : | 6/7/2011 - 6/8/2011 |
Place | : | 20 miles south off Aden |
Casualty | : | On fire following pirates' attack - Salvage Operation & Escort Services |
The 274m long SUEZMAX M/T "BRILLANTE VIRTUOSO" laden with 150,000tons of cargo bound from Ukraine to Qingdao in China, was set on fire and abandoned by her crew after pirates' attack about 20 miles off Aden in southern Yemen on July 6th. Shortly after notice from her ship owners and local agents, POSEIDON was subcontracted by FOS to immediately dispatch her permanently stationed in Aden tug and antipollution vessel to the scene and at a later stage Mother Vessel/ Floating Crane and diving vessel, all fully equipped. The vessel had sustained extensive damages in her engine room & accommodation block. Continuous firefighting efforts in accommodation block and engine room as well as diving inspections took place during the first days. Salvage operation further included sealing of all underwater hull openings, husbandry works on the areas burnt, washing with high pressure water machine/guns, skimming and pumping out contaminated waters from engine room and pump room into floating crane/ mother vessel's slop tanks. Precautionary measures for the protection of the sea environment were taken by oil & debris skimmer vessel & diving support vessel which stood by throughout the whole period. The salvage operation completed successfully in 32 days, but proved difficult due to extremely adverse weather conditions resulting in various damages of all crafts moblized. Vessel was safely towed to U.A.E. for the transshipment operation. Escort services offered by our tugboat while transiting the high risk area for steering and security purposes.
