Vic; Ship refloating planned for midday today

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2001
Vic; Ship refloating planned for midday today

MELBOURNE, April 25 AAP - Salvage crews intend to take advantage of today's midday
high tide on Victoria's southern coast to refloat a bulk carrier which has been grounded
near Portland since Saturday night.

Work on refloating the 50,000-tonne, Indian-registered bulk carrier Devprayag will
start around noon today, according to Victorian Marine Board chief executive, John Lord.

He said the Devprayag, which ran aground on a sandbar in Portland Bay on the south-western
coast in rough weather last Saturday, was likely to be freed by late afternoon.

Weather conditions were also forecast to be favourable, he said yesterday.

Mr Lord said Australia's most experienced marine salvor, United Salvage, would carry
out the operation under Marine Board supervision.

Divers had reported the ship's hull was still intact, so there was no threat of any
of the 1,100 tonnes of fuel oil inside the 200-metre bulk carrier escaping, he said.

"The ship is sitting comfortably on sand, which is covering limestone, and there is
no sign of damage."

Mr Lord said pollution control crews would stand by to ensure any potential oil spills
were quickly contained.

The Devprayag ran aground after dragging her anchor in strong winds and rough seas.

She and her 40 crew members had just delivered a cargo of phosphate to Melbourne, Geelong
and Portland.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau was investigating.

AAP ra/md )

KEYWORD: DEVPRAYAG DAYLEAD

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