Skagern

The "Skagern" was refloated on the Göta Älv on March 14 and towed to Trollhättan where the hull was now being investigated. The ship had been loaded with paper and sawn timber in Kristinehamn and was heading for Hull when it ran hard aground with the bow one week ago. On March 14, 120 tonnes of the cargo were lightered by a mobile crane onto a barge which had been moored alongside the casualty. Then the "Skagern" could be towed away by the tugs "Luto" and "Rygene" (MMSI: 265652820). She left the port of Falkenberg on March 31 at 10.45 p.m. and berthed in the King George Dock in Kingston upon Hull on Apr 2 at 11.30 p.m. Swedish reports with photos: http://nwt.se/karlstad/2017/03/16/m-s-skagern-drogs-av-grundet http://www.sjofartstidningen.se/alvtrafiken-stors-av-bargningar-och-bygge/

The salvage operation at the "Skagern" was being led by the local rescue services in Trollhättan. The Sjöfarsverket has assisted with pulling a rope from the stern of the ship to shore as a security measure that the ship would not move. The Maritime Administration assisted the local emergency services with pump capacity and vessels should the need arise. Police have been on board the ship and performed sobriety tests. There was no suspicion of crime. Divers from Gothenburg have inspected the hull and found water ingress in a small ballast tank in the bow. The Marin Shipmanagement B.V. and the classification society were to draw up a recovery plan in consultation with the Transport Agency. One ship has meanwhile passed the vessel without problems. Four ships were located north of the postion. The plan iwas to pass the accident site in the morning of March 10. Swedish report with photos: http://www.sjofartsverket.se/sv/Press/Fartyg-pa-grund-i-Gota-alv/

In the run of Mar 9, the crew of the "Skagern" reported a slight water ingress, but it was not more than the ship's own pumps could cope, so there was no danger of the ship sinking. Divers were expected on site in the run of the day to check the extent of the damage to the hull. Only then it can be decided how to proceed with the salvage work. Maritime Administration and the Coast Guard have helped to secure the ship so that it was not likely to move with the current. The grounding was caused by a black out causing electronics and engine to fail.When the emergency generator started working, it was too late and the ship ran onto the rocks. Neither the crew of seven was injured nor the load which was taken aboard at the Setra saw mill was damaged. Ship traffic in the fairway was not affected for the time being. Photo: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2627295#