EMEA News
MV Benita Refloated Over a Month After Onboard Brawl Led to Grounding and Bunker Spill
Five Oceans Salvage Sunday confirmed that MV Benita had been refloated and was being towed 20 miles off Mauritius' coast, where a skeleton crew of salvors will remain aboard until the vessel's seaworthiness and general state could be assessed.
As Ship & Bunker had previously reported, the vessel was grounded June 17 after a brawl broke out onboard, resulting in the grounding and subsequent bunker spill.
Five Oceans Salvage says that since the vessel's grounding, "stringent antipollution measures" and clean up efforts have been implemented in cooperation with Mauritian authorities.
"The cleaning of the shoreline in the vicinity of the grounding has made good progress, although some areas that had previously been cleaned will be given renewed attention after reports of new oil releases following the re-pressurisation of the vessel's cargo holds prior to refloating," explained the salvage company.
Earlier this month, Five Oceans Salvage said reports that an estimated 5,000 tonnes of fuel were lost from the grounded MV Benita were "not correct," noting that 145 metric tonnes (mt) of fuel were on board the vessel at the time of the incident, most of which had since been recovered.
Last week, the company said that more than 200 cubic metres (cbm) of contaminated fuel oil and lubrication oil had been safely removed from the vessel.
"The Club and the Owners would like to express their sincere gratitude to the people of Mauritius for their patience throughout this episode, and to extend thanks to all those who have assisted in the successful refloating operation" stated Five Oceans Salvage.
"Particular mention should be made of the salvors FOS who have shown great skill and persistence under challenging circumstances."
The company says the next steps to be taken with the vessel will largely be determined by the assessment of MV Benita's condition.
To ensure that there are no further incidents of pollution, Five Oceans Salvage notes that environmental monitoring of the Ilot Brocus and surrounding coastline will be maintained by on-scene contractors and local authorities.
As Ship & Bunker previously reported, fuel oil removed from the grounded vessel was to be transported for treatment by the Virgin Oil Company (Mauritius) Ltd (Virgin Oil Company Mauritius).
