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The salvage of the TRICOLOR will continue once there are weather forecasts indicating an extended period of favourable conditions. Based on weather statistics from the past, it can potentially take several months (until April/May) before the operation can be resumed. 

In the past 21 days storms and high seas have hampered the wreck removal operation. To date, since the signing of the wreck removal contract on 11th of April, the TRICOLOR has been successfully cut into nine sections. Five of these sections have been lifted and transported to Zeebrugge (Belgium).
Severe winds of up to seven and even eight Beaufort (storm) have made the operation to remove the four remaining sections too dangerous. These sections are weakened due to the cutting operation and the bad weather. They can only be removed by using a floating crane equipped with a large grab.

In order to resume the operation, the salvage team will require several days for the mobilisation of the necessary vessels and crew. Anchoring and positioning of the floating cranes and the barges to accommodate the sections will also be time consuming. Therefore, the continuation of the operation is only feasible if the weather forecast indicates an improvement for an extended period of time

Safety
In order to secure the safety of vessels passing the wreck, an internationally accepted safety system of cardinal buoys will remain on site, and adequate guarding will be maintained.

It is estimated that approximately 1.5 % of the original quantity of oil can still be contained within the wreck. This limited amount of oil can not be recovered at present.
When the remaining sections are being lifted, the salvage team will once again deploy an anti oil pollution vessel properly equipped  to recover any oil that might escape to the sea. 

The majority of the TRICOLOR’S cargo is still in the remaining sections, but there are remnants of the cargo scattered in the close vicinity around the wreck. The salvors will not only remove the four sections of the vessel, but will also collect cargo and debris from the seabed. Until this operation is completely finished, there will be a risk that some floating parts of the cargo (bumpers, tires) will drift in the ocean. Every effort will be made to recover this remaining debris for destruction.

The salvage of the TRICOLOR is being carried out by the ‘Combinatie Berging Tricolor’, a consortium consisting of: SMIT Salvage B.V., Scaldis Salvage & Marine Contractors N.V., URS Salvage & Maritime Contracting N.V., and Multraship Salvage B.V. The salvage contract was awarded to the consortium by Wilh. Wilhelmsen and Gard Services.

For more details please contact:

Combinatie Berging Tricolor
Lars Walder
Public Relations Manager CBT
Tel: +31 (0) 10 454 92 74
Mobile: +31 (0) 6 53 43 27 65
Mail: l.walder@smit.com
Internet: www.tricolorsalvage.com