Tsavliris Salvage Assist M/T Granba

On Tuesday 7th April, at 1900 hours, Tsavliris Salvage (International) Ltd. dispatched salvage tug Tsavliris Unity from her Galle (Sri Lanka) salvage station, to the assistance of the M/T Granba (GRT 4658 – DWT 7650) laden with about 5,250 M/T of sulphuric acid in bulk, disabled off Trincomalee due to heavy list and leaking from cargo tanks to ballast tanks.

Our salvage team, together with substantial salvage, STS operations etc equipment, including special protective suits / masks, was flown from Greece and Holland to Sri Lanka.  Arrangements were made to fly special pumps, hoses, explosion proof-power packs etc (capable of pumping sulphuric acid) from Framo, Singapore.

Chemical tanker market was canvassed to locate suitable lightering tankers with stainless steel tanks.

On 8th  April at 1430 hours our salvage tug Tsavliris Unity arrived on the scene of the casualty which, abandoned by crew, was listing and being handled by port tug arranged by Sri Lanka  Navy, approximately 50 NM off the coast.

Under direction of Sri Lanka Navy the Tsavliris Unity connected up to the casualty bow (replacing the port tug).

On 9th April at 0010 hours the casualty sank at approximate position 08 11,15N – 082 18,55 E  in a water depth of about 3800 meters.

On 10th April at 1300 hours the Sri Lanka Navy released Tsavliris Unity whereupon she proceeded to Galle salvage station for inspection / examination of acid and related damages.

On 11th April at 1000 hours Tsavliris Unity arrived at Galle salvage station. All other arrangements were stood down, demobilized or cancelled.