Stricken cargo ship Lysblink Seaways has been successfully moored at Clydeport Harbour after a 30-hour towing operation by salvage firm Svitzer
After almost 30 hours at sea, the stricken cargo ship Lysblink Seaways has been safely moored up at Clydeport Harbour, the Coastguard has announced.
Towed by the tugboats Luca, Svtizer Milford and Afon Menai at an average speed of 4.6 knots, the 7,500-tonne container vessel made slow but steady progress on the 150nm trip to the Firth of Clyde.
Salvage firm Svizter officially completed its 16-day operation at 20:00 last night, although a counter-pollution team remains on the scene to monitor the vessel for any signs of fuel leaking from the hull.
Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s representative for maritime salvage and intervention, said: “I’m delighted with the way this operation has been carried out.
“It has been a great example of how co-operation between many people and organisations can make a difference in a potentially challenging situation.
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved, particularly the salvors and the Scottish Environment Group.”
The Coastguard added that the next stage will be to dry dock Lysblink Seaways at Inchgreen next week.
Lysblink Seaways ran aground near the Scottish port of Kilchoan at 01:50 on Wednesday February 18. AIS tracking data showed that it was travelling at a speed of 14 knots prior to impact.
The vessel was only 200 miles into its planned 2,000-mile journey from Belfast to the Norwegian port of Skogn, with a 50-tonne cargo of paper products on board.
This is the second major cargo ship grounding of the year, following the Hoegh Osaka incident that unfolded in January.
