KOOLE MAMMOET Salvage Removes Wreck Off Angola

KOOLE MAMMOET Salvage has completed wreck removal operation of the roll-on-roll-off container vessel SALOOS offshore Angola.

The vessel capsized in May 2014 at Cabinda anchorage in Angola, carrying 155 containers and cargo. After the grounding of the vessel, an unknown amount of containers was scattered in an area of 60 km² with several containers stranded on the beach.

KOOLE was contracted in 2015 to remove the complete vessel, survey the area of 60 km² and remove all detected containers and debris.

Two tugboats and four barges were mobilized, equipped with 24 chainpullers, several cranes (500ton – 200 ton), salvage and survey-equipment to Angola to execute the wreck- and cargo-removal.

While the area was being surveyed and containers were removed from the seabed and the beach, the wreck was prepared for lifting and removal. By utilizing directional drilling, a total of twelve chains were positioned underneath the wreck and the hydraulic chainpullers pulled the wreck from the mud.

After releasing the wreck from the seabed, the vessel was removed in situ with chisel and torch cutting and all containers and debris originated from M.V. SALOOS were identified and removed.