Devbulk-Sadiye

An accident involving three vessels occurred in the afternoon of Aug 29, 2017, in the Sunda Strait off the port of Merak in northwest Java. Two bulk carriers and one tanker collided, under yet unclear circumstances. All three vessels – besides the "Maestro Diamond" the bulkcarrier "Srikandi Indonesia" and the tanker "Angel No. 1" - were damaged in the collision. The "Maestro Diamond" went adrift in the northern Sunda Strait. The "Srikandi Indonesia" was moored on Merak Anchorage.

On Oct 11 at 1 a.m. the three tugs "Kiel", "Taucher Otto Wulf 5" and "Svitzer Thor" succeeded in refloating the "Maestro Diamond". The salvage attempt started the previous evening around 9 p.m., and it took a few hours of pulling to get the ship off. It was directed to Kalundborg for thorough surveys of the hull by divers, ETA Oct 11, 1 p.m. The "Svitzer Thor" and "Marie Miljø" escorted the bulkcarrier on its way. It was believed to have suffered dents and bumps in the fuel tank area, but no breaches. As a precaution, the fuel had been pumped into more protected tank areas so there was no danger of an oil spill. The ship has left the anchorage off Kalundborg again after the surveys of the hull by divers were completed and resumed the voyage from Klaipeda to New Orleans, ETA Nov 3.

In the evening of Oct 10 at the earliest the "Kiel", joined by two more tugs, the "Taucher Otto Wulf 5" and "Svitzer Thor", will start a refloating attempt at the "Maestro Diamond". Only during the night hours suitable water levels were expected at the grounding site which has a water depth of 10 meters. The bulkcarrier, loaded with 34000 tons fertilizer, has a draught of 11 meters. The most suitable tide was expected between 9 pm. and 3 a.m. on Oct 11. Before being refloated, the ship's seaworthyness will have to be approved. On Oct 9 the "Mette Miljø" had surveyed the ships. Fuel tanks were found dented, but not breached. During the day the oil was pumped into the other tanks in order to ensure that the vessel does not begin to leak when it is being pulled off the ground. Meanwhile the ""Marie Miljø" was on site. The reason for the grounding was unclear.