The official launching of removal activities of the 230-metre bulk carrier MV Miner, scheduled to begin with the arrival of plasma cutting machines on Thursday has still not been confirmed by the selected salvage company, namely the Bennington Group, the Herald News reports.
The vessel in question, owned by Arvina Navigation SA of Turkey, ran aground on the Scaterie Island a year ago while being towed across the Atlantic for scrapping. Local residents, especially fishermen have urged for the wreck’s removal due to its negative effect on lucrative fishing in the area.
“I understand the crew is to arrive tomorrow to begin the work but that’s all I know at this point,” a project co-ordinator for the Regional Development Association of Main-a-Dieu Amanda MacDougall said Thursday.
The Bennington Group, hired by the vessel’s owner, has received a green light from the province to remove the wreck from the site and the salvage plan is said to entail cutting the vessel into manageable pieces, which will be transferred for further processing at another location.
The cutting will first be directed to the middle portion of the ship, followed by the stern and bow sections. The work is scheduled to be completed by December.
[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, September 14, 2012