V-Due

The "V Due" was allowed to return to Liverpool after the cargo fire. There has been no pollution and there were no concerns about the structural integrity as the vessel remained stable. SMIT Salvage continued to support the master and crew of the ship in stabilising the situation and preparing for the passage from her offshore position to port. It berthed in the Alexandra Dock in the foremidday of Dec 9.

According to the HM Coastguard, discussions were still ongoing to find a suitable port to unload the cargo of wood pellets aboard the "V Due", although assurances have been given that no evidence of any pollution has been discovered. On Dec 5 the Salvage Control Unit (SCU) met to discuss what steps should be taken now, with the multi-agency unit hoping to move the vessel over the coming days. The HM Coastguard was concentrating their efforts on identifying a suitable port and drawing up a plan of action. Report with video: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/fire-hit-ship-still-stranded-12277111

Authorities in the UK will today decide what to do with the V Due, a Maltese flagged bulker which suffered a fire onboard off the northern Welsh coast on Thursday. A 500 m exclusion zone has been set up around the 23,000 dwt vessel. The UK Coastguard has said salvors have put together a plan to get the ship to port and remove the cargo which “is the preferred option at this stage”. “This will be further developed when an agreement on the place of refuge has been finalised.” No pollution has been reported thus far. The vessel is managed by Swiss-based SeaQuest Shipmanagement. http://splash247.com/exclusion-zone-place-around-burnt-bulker/