Salvage World Q1 2024

ISU members in Baltimore bridge disaster response

The collision of the boxship DALI with the Francis Scott Key Bridge at Baltimore USA captured the world’s attention not least due to the dramatic media coverage. Tragically six workers on the bridge lost their lives in the incident.

With the port of Baltimore paralysed, the authorities, US Coast Guard and military quickly deployed resources to open the channel while at the same time investigators began to assess what had caused the ship to crash into the bridge pier leading to catastrophic failure of the main and outer spans.

Within a week of the incident, contractors working for the US Army Corps of Engineers had begun to cut away the tangled bridge remains for lifting and removal by barge. It was reported the US Navy supervisor of salvage had contracted numerous barges, tugs and other equipment to support the operation.

Several large crane barges are already on site including ISU member Donjon Marine’s Chesapeake 1000 – capable of lifting 1000 tonnes. Separately the condition of the vessel was being assessed and plans were

being considered for re-floating the containership likely by ISU member Resolve Marine.

ISU Secretary General, James Hebert, commented: “Our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives in this tragic incident. But we have

seen yet again that members of the ISU are often central to the response to major incidents. One of the ISU’s key messages is that, as well as protecting the environment and saving property, its members keep trade flowing and keep ports open. The case of the DALI is demonstrating that in real time.”

ISU members' services prevent substantial marine pollution

Members of the International Salvage Union provided 173 services to vessels carrying 1.9 million tonnes of potentially polluting cargo and fuel during operations in 2023.

It again demonstrates the vital role of professional salvors in protecting the marine environment. The data come from the ISU’s Annual Pollution Prevention Survey for operations in 2023.

President of the ISU, John Witte, said: “More than ever, ESG requirements are at the top of the agenda for all industries and of course for shipping. The focus on

emissions and climate change must be maintained but we must not lose sight of the importance of simply protecting the environment. It affects those providing services to shipping as much as the owners: the insurers and financiers - as we see with the adoption of the Poseidon Principles.

“Sustaining a viable professional salvage industry ready to respond to all kinds of incidents around the world is vital and that is recognised by insurers and owners but it needs to be properly funded.”

There were fewer services in 2023

compared with the previous year and that is in line with the downward trend of the ISU general industry statistics. But each year there can be significant variations of the quantities of pollutants in each category. That may be due to vessel size increasing so that, for example, one major containership case might significantly affect that category.

And the number of containers is lower than last year but, after bulk cargo, still represents the most significant category with ISU members providing services to vessels carrying 30,000 TEU amounting to some 400,000 tonnes of cargo.

Picture: US NTSB

2023 ISU pollution prevention survey results continued

It compares with 187,000 tonnes of crude oil. Containers carrying a great variety of harmful and dangerous goods including plastic pellets (nurdles) represent one of the biggest threats to the marine environment.

John Witte added: “Containers continue to be difficult to deal with – offloading, storing and perhaps backloading. But the traditional threat from oils remains and there were also several cases of car carriers and RoRo fires and the carriage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is an increasing concern. Salvors often do not know if there are EVs or batteries on board or the quantity.”

Cargoes of refined oil products increased significantly in the 2023 numbers as did chemicals. Dirty and hazardous bulk cargoes in 2023 were 770,000 tonnesdown from 1,236,000 the previous year. An increased number of the services in the survey did not record the quantity of bunkers or the cargo type meaning the

reported numbers likely represent a more modest total than the reality.

The 173 services in 2023 included 43 wreck removal/marine services contracts; 19 Lloyd’s Open Forms; 24 towage contracts; 10 Japanese Forms; 5 lump sum, 6 day rate contracts; 37 other contracts (including commercial terms and common law salvage and OPA 90 responses) and 29 Turkish Forms.

ISU is transparent about the fact that not all these potential pollutants were at immediate risk of going into the sea. Some cases will have had limited danger, but others will have carried a real risk of causing substantial environmental damage. In an era of “zero tolerance” of any pollution, even the smaller cases represent a significant concern.

The survey was first conducted by ISU in 1994 and the methodology was updated in 2014 to include a wider range of potential pollutants including containers and hazardous and dirty bulk

2023 Pollution Prevention Survey - results

Total: 1,918,995 tonnes, 173 services

Contracts used - actuals

cargoes. In the period 1994 to end-2023, ISU members have provided services to casualty vessels carrying 43,397,100 tonnes of potential pollutants, an average of 1.5 million tonnes per year.

Percentages of pollutants

Trends (tonnes)

Photo: Action Press / Shutterstock

All pollutant figures in tonnes. *Nominal 15 tonnes per TEU.

ISU Associate Members' Day 2024

The ISU Associate Members’ Day conference was held in March at a new venue, Landing 42, in the City of London. There were some 140 delegates who enjoyed a varied programme of talks and presentations.

ISU President, John Witte, opened the conference and said: “We are delighted to be in this exciting new venue with its views of the City of London which continues to be a world centre for shipping, the law, insurance and finance, all of which come together in the salvage industry.”

Mr Witte re-stated the ISU members’ commitment to the importance of “investing in people and equipment and training to be able to provide essential emergency response services wherever they are needed.” He added: “Different parties must do what they do best. Owners operating their ships, masters making decisions, insurers covering the risks and handling claims and salvors providing services when there is an emergency. Together we all need to recognise that the cost of salvage should not be the focus but the value of what is saved.”

The importance of the salvage industry was picked up by Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, Guy Platten, who set out the owners’ current issues and support for the salvage industry. The UK Secretary of State’s Representative for Salvage and Intervention, Stephan Hennig and his deputy, Lisa McAuliffe, celebrated 25 years of their roles and the success of the UK’s way of handling incidents without political interference.

David Lawrence from Lloyd’s updated the delegates on developments in the Lloyd’s Open Form and Martin Hall and Siiri Duddington from Hill Dickinson talked the audience through sanctions legislation in the context of salvage operations. Smit’s Richard Janssen and HFW partner Andrew Chamberlain described the process and changes in the revised BIMCO Wreckstage contract that has now been finalised and will be launched shortly.

Operational case studies were delivered on the FREMANTLE HIGHWAY by Multraship’s Bianca Pielaat and Smit’s Paul van 't Hof whose firms responded jointly to the car carrier fire. Donjon’s

Gordon Lorenson described the Donjon Smit case of the GRANDE COSTA D’AVORIO at Newark in the context of the US legislative framework. They were followed by Adrian Scales from Brookes Bell who covered the grave danger from battery fires – a risk that is still not fully understood and prepared for.

Rodrigo Bella from ISU Philippines’ member, Harbor Star, gave an engaging presentation about the great differences between salvage operations and shore line clean-up operations following a major clean up performed by Harbor Star last year. The thrust was that while there may be opportunities there are also many operational and commercial challenges. Tatham and Co solicitor Paul Howarth gave a clear explanation of the requirements for collecting financial

security in different situations and was followed by Teagan Erichsen from Audere International who talked about corporate intelligence and ways of identifying assets and tracing beneficial owners when considering action.

The day was rounded out by a panel discussion about issues in wreck removal tendering. John Witte represented salvors, Andreas Øgrey represented the Clubs and Alex Leonard the consultants. Mr Witte called for a “level playing field” and there was general agreement on the importance of the availability of a group of capable contractors able to bid for major projects. The cost of mounting bids and provision of survey data were considered as well as the responsibility for explaining local regulations and tax requirements. The conference was followed by a reception.

Speakers at the conference included above: L-R John Witte, Andreas Øgrey, Alex Leonard.

Left: L-R Bianca Pielaat, Paul van 't Hof.

Below left: Gordon Lorenson. Below: Rodrigo Bella.

Resolve Marine

Resolve Marine announced in February that Joseph Farrell III (below) has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Joseph Farrell Jr., founder of Resolve Marine, was appointed Chair of the company's Board of Directors.

Joseph Farrell III had been deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer with experience across all aspects of Resolve Marine's business.

Mr Farrell has 18 years of experience in field operations at Resolve Marine and has led and worked on projects around the world. He holds a BS in marine engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, an MS in ocean engineering from Florida Institute of Technology, and an MBA in finance from Cornell University.

He said: “I am extremely proud to expand on what my father has built: a global services business that brings agility to solving marine problems. The Resolve Marine team of more than 400 employees is dedicated, talented and committed. I am proud to lead the team.”

Commenting on his son's appointment to lead the company, Joe Farrell Jr. said, “Joe brings deep knowledge of this business, a rigorous leadership style, and the Board is excited about the next chapter of the company under his stewardship.

I personally want to acknowledge the hard-working team of men and women around the world who bring a diversity of technical skills, problem-solving acumen, and passion for doing things right.”

Also in February, Resolve Marine announced the sale of its Gibraltar operations. Two divisions are part of the sale: the company's harbour towing operations and fleet were sold to Boluda

Towage Europe, and the marine services business, to Elias Tapiero of ORC Marine.

Commenting on sale, Joseph Farrell III said, “The Port of Gibraltar operations have been part of the Resolve Marine family since 2015. We are excited that Boluda Towage Europe saw the enormous value of a business that serves the Port of Gibraltar, adding to its portfolio of towage services in major global ports.”

Tsavliris

In February, Andreas A Tsavliris gave his annual lecture at the City University of London (Bayes Business School) to the "Shipping, Trade and Finance" masters' degree students. The topics discussed included merger and acquisition markets, sale and purchase of new-buildings and second-hand vessels, chartering, insurance, banking, financing and currencies.

Mr Tsavliris took the opportunity to emphasise that “shipping needs a strong salvage industry to support every possible operation in every part of the world”. He discussed the major challenges of the sector, including current discussions about the Lloyd’s Open Form salvage contract.

In March, George A Tsavliris was elected President of the Board of Directors of the floating Maritime Museum HELLAS LIBERTY (above). The vessel (ex ARTHUR M HUDDEL, launched in 1943) is a Liberty Ship which survived World War II. In 2008 she was transferred to Greece and after repairs was converted into a maritime museum.

Liberty ships represent the history of the resurgence of the Greek merchant shipping fleet following the end of the war. Tsavliris Salvage Group was involved in the towage of the ship from Norfolk, Virginia USA to Piraeus port.

Average Adjusters Association

The AAA Secretary Ann Waite is to retire after nearly 11 years and will be replaced by Judy Houlden at the start of June after a three-month handover. She will also attend the AAA AGM, Annual Conference and Dinner and meet members and stakeholders.

D’Arcy Thompson Simulator Centre Limited

The D’Arcy Thompson Simulator Centre Limited has released its first sustainaVERSE™ app linked to a simple underwater noise model, ‘Explosives use in Decommissioning, Guidelines for Assessment of Risk’ – EDGAR – which was developed by Manta Environmental Limited. Though much downloaded as a peer-reviewed, open source paper, its useful output was unavailable to many, due to the nature and extent of the calculations involved.

Using the power of the graphical physics engine, Unity, software engineers at D'Arcy created an interactive scene that gives contractors, operators, regulators and ecologists, alike, direct access to the guidelines for the assessment of risk, via a browser.

Moya Crawford, Managing Director of the D'Arcy Thompson Simulator Centre Limited, said. "This first release focuses on the severance of conductors and piles of offshore oil and gas installations. What we have done is taken confidence in the safety and effectiveness of explosives, gained from salvage experience, to make this recent re-analysis of the impact of explosives on marine life more widely available.

"Each operative using this sustainaVERSE™ app will have to make their own detailed risk assessment, on a case by case basis, but we believe that those cutting underwater should have explosives as one of their first options, rather

than their last, when everything else has failed."

Salvage industry professionals wishing to evaluate the functionality of the EDGAR app should email: enquires@darcythompson.net.

Seacontractors

SEA OLOUS has been added to the Seacontractor’s fleet. The Eurocarrier 2611 has two powerful HEILA deck

ISU News

ISU AGM 2024

The ISU AGM 2024 will be held 1113 September 2024 at the Conrad Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, hosted by ISU Member, Aras Marine.

The AGM and associated events will follow the now-established format of an Executive Committee meeting, local visits and an Opening Reception on Wednesday 11 September, the AGM on Thursday 12 September followed in

cranes and has a Bollard Pull of 34 tonnes and can operate in shallow waters with a draft of 2.61 meters. She has substantial deck space, allowing for efficient cargo handling, equipment storage, and various offshore activities. Seacontractorrs says her “advanced propulsion system guarantees enhanced maneuverability and stability, enabling precise positioning even in challenging conditions. This vessel also carries the ULEV (Ultra-Low Emission Vessels) notation.”

the evening by a Gala Dinner and other activities and visits the day after the AGM, Friday 13 September.

Members are encouraged to book their rooms in the hotel as soon as possible to ensure the best prices are available. The secretariat has already issued the dedicated hotel booking link to full members and further reminders will be sent shortly. In the meantime please contact isu@marine-salvage.com if you wish to be given the link or have other questions.

Brand Marine

Brand Marine hosted events in London in March to celebrate its 10th anniversary. There was an afternoon of electronic clay pigeon shooting followed by a reception hosted by staff from the London and Hamburg offices with guests from across the marine professions including insurers, salvors and lawyers. The consultancy has expanded rapidly under the leadership of founder Dennis Brand who was wellknown from his time with Titan Salvage.

Wreck removal

Work on the revised draft of the popular BIMCO Wreckstage contracts has now been concluded and approved by the BIMCO Documentary Committee. The contract will be published and be available for use in the next period and ISU members will be notified.

ISU is also soon to start discussion with the International Group of P&I Clubs on a revised wreck removal tendering code of practice. The current edition dates to 1998.

Dangers in the Red Sea - issues for salvors and insurers

In the Red Sea, Belize-flagged, UKowned cargo ship RUBYMAR was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

She was carrying 21,000 tonnes of ammonium phosphate sulphate fertiliser and was leaking oil for several days after coming under attack while sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The casualty was evacuated immediately and in view of an environmental disaster in the southern Red Sea, the shipowners were minded to engage ISU member Tsavliris for the salvage operation. Tsavliris prepared to mobilise a tug from Aden, an anti-pollution vessel from Greece, salvage team, divers team and other equipment but the vessel sank on 2 March as she had been slowly taking on water since the attack.

The US Central Command says the cargo and bunkers from this 1997-built, 19,420 grt ship represent an environmental risk in the Red Sea, with the oil slick already 30 km, and it is a navigation risk to other ships in the shipping lane.

More than 70 ships have been targeted by

the Houthis in the five months since the conflict between Israel and Hamas. There have been fatalities and kidnappings. The security situation forced the UN to halt its plans to tow, dismantle and recycle decaying floating storage and offloading tanker FSO SAFER, currently moored off Yemen.

Owners and insurers are considering the changed risk and commercial landscape. More than 30 vessels have sustained hits but the missiles have been relatively

ineffective. Crews are entitled to higher wages for transits and have the option to refuse passage with seven days notice.

Insurers said losses to date “remain within underwriting tolerance.” International commerce is enjoying naval support which helps charterers and owners use the Red Sea - nearly 50% of shipping is still choosing that route and for those vessels cover is available, tailored for the specifics of the individual voyages. Enhanced risk means increased premium.

ISU Annual Dinner at Trinity House, London

ISU held its Annual Dinner in late March at the historic Trinity House in London.

The event is an opportunity for senior leaders of the salvage industry to engage with their counterparts from marine law, property and liability insurance and consultants as well as other senior figures from the shipping industry.

The guest of honour was the International Maritime Organisation’s new Secretary general, His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez.

John Witte welcomed the guests and reminded them of the importance of the salvage industry and the ISU members' contribution to protecting the marine environment. In his remarks he emphasised the importance of the need for the salvage industry to sustainable.

Referring to the 2022 ISU financial statistics which had shown a 38 percent fall in gross income, Mr Witte said: “Returns in our industry have always been variable but any sector facing that kind of contraction must be concerned. And we know that our key stakeholders recognise that the industry must be sustained – they say so publicly. But it needs adequate funding.”

“The ISU position is that Article 13 awards must remain the cornerstone of the industry to fund the investment in people, training and equipment that is needed to continue to provide professional services

around the world. And, when considering awards, we must encourage owners and insurers to celebrate the value preserved by our services and not focus on the cost.”

Mr Dominguez also addressed the dinner and noted his support for the industry. He reminded guests that in an earlier role at IMO he had, for example, worked closely with ISU on the Wreck Removal Convention. He also spoke with passion about need to value and care for seafarers who are at the heart of the industry and who are often in the front line of issues such as the dangers in the Red Sea.

Pictures

Top: IMO Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez addressing the dinner guests.

Above: L-R Charo Coll, Eline Muller, Arsenio Dominguez.

Left: L-R Martin Hall, Dominique Caillé.

Below: L-R Jason Bennett, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Gordon Lorenson, Adrian Scales.

Smit operational news

In January, Smit was notified that a 317,713 dwt crude oil tanker had run aground near Takong Kecil Lighthouse on the Indonesian side of the Singapore Straits.

The vessel was fully laden with crude oil with a draft of 17.5m. There was no damage to the hull reported, but there was a risk of a breached hull and oil spill due to uncontrolled vessel momentum against the reef due to tidal change.

A salvage master, salvage officer and naval architect were immediately mobilised from Smit’s nearby Singapore response centre and went onboard the casualty the next day for an assessment and preparation of the salvage plan. Four days after the grounding, the vessel was safely refloated with the assistance of three tugs from local partners and brought to a nearby safe anchorage for inspection and then redelivered to her owners.

In February, Smit responded to a bulk carrier grounded at Km 338 of the Parana River, Argentina and blocking the channel due to very low water levels. The vessel was outbound and partially laden with wheat with destination Bahia Blanca, Argentina, to complete loading.

Ardentia update

Ardentia has been responding to a plastic pellet spill originating from a shipping container, reaching the shores of Galicia since January.

It reported that it had “swiftly mobilised teams" to monitor beach conditions and facilitate the recovery of pellets washing ashore, ensuring the beaches remain clean.

Ardentia said that it is also providing comprehensive oil spill prevention services for major clients in Spain, using advanced equipment and techniques including over 3000 metres of oil boom for offshore, coastal and port deployment, as well as multi-skimmers and oil transfer sets among other assets.

In recent months, Ardentia has been also been engaged in salvage operations involving the vessels BRISAN and SEA PEARL. The BRISAN, a fishing vessel which was stranded in the Muros Bay, was efficiently refloated in less than 24

Smit mobilised two salvage masters as well as a tug for the planned refloating attempt. After initially managing to rotate the vessel and shift her 70 metres, the rapidly decreasing river level prevented further movement. Two more tugs were mobilized to the location resulting in the successful refloating after 48 hours of operations and towing the vessel to a safe location designated by the local authorities.

Also in February, a backhoe dredger suffered an incident and started to capsize off Algiers. Smit was contracted immediately for the recovery of the

pollutants on board, with the support of a salvage vessel from fellow ISU member Multraship. While the pollutant recovery was taking place, Smit made preparations for salvaging the vessel which are ongoing at time of writing.

In Borneo, Malaysia, a large team of Smit experts are busy with the second season of a large wreck removal of a sunken offshore structure in 90m water depth. A fleet of heavy lift vessels, tugs and barges will be outfitted and mobilised for what Smit called “meticulously planned operations” that will go on “well into the summer.”

hours by the Ardentia team which went onboard, without incurring any damage. Similarly, the SEA PEARL, a yacht stranded in the Canary Islands, was successfully refloated using airbags.

Ardentia said that its operation with the biggest impact in 2023 was the refloating, towing and onshore lifting of the wreck of the SERENIN, a 240 tonne fishing vessel that had sunk to a depth of 15 metres near the port of

Avilés. After a safe tow to the port of Gijón, the vessel was successfully lifted by two powerful shore cranes and precisely positioned on secure ground (above). The recycling process for the SERENIN has been completed in an environmentally sustainable way by reusing recyclable materials from the ship.

Ardentia expressed its gratitude to all who had been involved in what it described as “this exceptional operation.”

Focus on Argentina

Raul y Negro responds to bulker bridge collision

On the night of 28 January the bulk carrier EN MAY lost direction and rammed the Zarate Brazo Largo Bridge on the Parana River in Argentina.

She remained embedded and stranded at the base of the bridge with several flooded compartments, interrupting the navigation of the Parana River and the traffic of export cargoes.

RN-Salvamento assisted with divers, welders and tugs and recovered the vessel’s stability, and freeing the bridge without structural damage other than the impact. The casualty was moved to a safe dock, opening the normal navigation channel to other vessels that had been interrupted for five days.

Servimagnus lifts sunken vessels

Servimagnus reports the conduct of two major projects in Argentina during the southern hemisphere summer.

Between December 23 and March 2024 the Argentinian firm performed a wreck removal operation at the sea Port of Bahia Blanca. The scope of the work consisted of the wreck removal, dry docking and scrapping of two fishing vessels that had sunk in operational areas of the port (picture right). In total 800 tonnes of wreckage was removed and scrapped.

Servimagnus deployed its sheerleg floating crane MAGNUS IX, with a lifting capacity up to 1000 tonnes, together with auxiliary and oil spill response equipment.

After chain-cutting of each of the wrecks into two pieces and lifted by the floating crane and transported from the area of sinking to the scrapping area, located six kilometres away within the Bahia Blanca estuary.

Elsewhere during January 2024, Servimagnus was engaged by one of the most important bulk terminals on the Parana River, to refloat the tugboat URANO. The tug, laden with 90 tonnes of fuel had sunk inside the port facilities and was affecting one of the terminal berths (picture bottom right).

Servimagnus deployed its sheerleg floating crane MAGNUS VI (lifting capacity up to 400 tonnes) from Buenos Aires to San Lorenzo, together with its pusher VB RCOLETA. Additionally, Servimagnus mobilised a diving team of five and supervised the oil spill response efforts of the client.

The refloating plan submitted to the local authorities called for a combination of lifting by the sheerleg, deballasting several compartments to adjust the vessel's trim and achieve the desired draft, together with lightering about 90 tonnes of fuel.

Shorlty afterwards the the casualty was successfully refloated and the lightered vessel was redelivered to the owner and brought out of the port facilities.

AMSOL responds to grounded fishing vessel in sensitive location

The fishing vessel ELKE M ran aground in early January at St Francis Bay, South Africa and AMSOL said “it was the timely response of stakeholders that ensured the protection of the marine environment”.

AMSOL’s AHTSV UMKHUSELI arrived at the location soon after and pollutant removal was the priority during fair conditions. It included some 24 tonnes of fuel and further non-fuel pollutants which were removed and airlifted to shore for transfer to road tankers. Also fishing nets, crates and other debris from the vessel and surrounding areas were recovered and brought ashore.

AMSOL said the operation was a “collaborative effort” led by the Department of Transport (DOT), the South African

Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the Incident Management Organisation, which included AMSOL and other stakeholders such as vessel owners, insurers, municipal officials, the NSRI, environmental management organizations and other relevant parties.

AMSOL also worked in partnership with local environmental organisation Friends of the St Francis Bay Reserve (FOSTER) during the operation, providing financial support for its ongoing environmental conservation efforts, as well as to the local NSRI Station.

AMSOL also emphasised that “preparedness is key”. It is a standing member of the Incident Management Organisation and in February participated in the National Oil Spill Roadshow

Five Oceans Salvage refloats bulker in Uruguay

On 9 March, Five Oceans Salvage signed a LOF to assist the bulk carrier

STEEL C - 63,000 dwt, and built 2015 - that ran aground in ballast condition off Nueva Palmira in Uruguay.

FOS mobilised a local salvage master and a local tug as a first response, while a senior salvage master and a salvage team mobilised from Athens.

The local salvage master liaised with FOS and submitted all relevant plans and documentation needed for obtaining the salvage permit without delays. The salvage team from Greece joined the casualty the following day and the vessel was successfully refloated that day.

Contingency Plan Workshop which took place in Cape Town. AMSOL was a sponsor of the event and Marine Operations Manager Siphokazi Mbaba presented on "Pollution prevention on the coast and the role of the Emergency Response Vessel”.

AMSOL is contracted by the DOT to operate the standby AHTSV UMKHUSELI as part of South Africa’s proactive marine pollution prevention measures. AMSOL said the roadshow, attended by a wide range of stakeholders and response organisations, “assists in informing and enhancing awareness about the revised National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and associated strategies to reduce the impact of incidents in South Africa’s oceans.”

Obituary - Archie Bishop

It was with much sadness that ISU received the news of the passing of Archie Bishop, a great servant of the salvage industry and Senior Partner of Holman, Fenwick and Willan from 1988 to 2000.

Mr Bishop was described as a “legend” in salvage matters. He was an expert in collisions, total loss claims and of course salvage. He was for decades said to be the “go to” lawyer in London advice in such matters and was heavily involved in dozens of leading cases on the subject and acted for the major players in the maritime industry.

Archie’s maritime background made him unique when he joined Holman’s in 1960 after having completed his education aboard HMS Worcester and served seven years as a deck officer with the P&O Line. He was possibly the first mariner to

be employed by a London shipping law firm specifically for his experience. When he became Senior Partner in 1988 his nautical experience was vital and played an important role in the administration and development of the firm, particularly the opening of its offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai and Greece. He was an Examiner in Admiralty and Chairman of the London Shipping Law Centre.

He was the legal adviser to the ISU from 1982 – 2012 and during this period was instrumental in the production of the Salvage Convention of 1989 having represented the ISU at the meetings of the Legal Committee of the IMO, and in the production of LOF90, LOF95 and LOF2000 as well as numerous BIMCO Agreements such as TOWCON and TOWHIRE and WRECKFIXED, WRECKSTAGE and WRECKHIRE. He was also the principal architect of the Special Compensation P&I Club (SCOPIC) clause and Chairman of the SCOPIC Committee.

In 2009 Archie believed that the Salvage Convention should be reviewed and he focused significantly on the concept of Environmental Salvage. There was an ever increasing awareness of the need to do all that could be done to protect the environment even if it was not be possible to preserve other property. Archie worked with CMI on the concept but it did not receive universal acceptance.

Ann Fenech, of ISU Associate Member,

Multraship - fishing vessel refloat

On the evening of March 19 2024, Multraship Salvage B.V. and URS Nederland B.V. successfully carried out a salvage operation on the fishing vessel CINDY VLI 25.

The fishing cutter had run aground at night at the Easterly breakwater of the Outer harbour in Flushing, just at high tide. The salvors immediately mobilised the tugs

VB TRIUMPHANTE, MULTRATUG 9 and MULTRATUG 22. Within a very short time they succeeded in establishing a towing connection and refloated the vessel.

After refloating, the vessel was escorted to the Outer harbour in Flushing and safely moored at a berth.

Fenech and Fenech, and now President of CMI worked with Archie Bishop when she was newly qualified and she said: “Archie was above all a peoples’ person. He was able to connect with a cross section of society, giving each time and making them feel at ease. His genuinely caring personality was responsible for the professional growth of dozens of junior solicitors who became partners and leaders in their fields.

“His genteel, persuasive and engaging personality made him a natural communicator and he lectured with authority and great ease making the most complex subjects come across as so simple and logical.

“He was always ready to answer questions, make time and explain what for him must have been very mundane. He was an important part of my professional growth always there with words of encouragement and solid advice. I know that there were dozens of others who like me benefitted from his savoir faire, his knowledge and his experiences which he shared with his unique down to earth manner and always with a twinkle in his eye.

"Archie Bishop was, is and will remain a legend in the industry. A person with tremendous gravitas and very special to many people.”

[With thanks to Ann Fenech, this obituary is an edited version of the CMI tribute to Mr Bishop.]

Tsavliris news roundup

On 1 March 2024, the Motor Vessel SHOVELER – dwt 30,928 tonnes and laden with 28,600 tonnes of wheat in bulk, had an engine room fire, some 55 miles SW of port of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The vessel was en route from Montreal, Canada to Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.

Οn 2 March, Tsavliris mobilised the Fifi tug PLIS FOS - 85 TBP and BHP 6,772from Fort de France, Martinique. Towage to Curacao commenced on 4 March arriving at the destination in adverse weather conditions on 8 March. With the assistance of two port tugs the vessel moored safely at Caracas Bay and the operation was successfully completed (picture right).

On 7 December 2023, the bulk carrier GAZIBEY - 17,786 dwt and laden with 9,900 tonnes of potassium chloride granulated fertiliser - suffered main engine failure and drifted some 60 miles off Falmouth, UK. During the incident the vessel was en route from Ust-Luga, Russia to Bayonne, France.

Tsavliris despatched the AHTS ALP

STRIKER - 312 TBP and 24,400BHP

- arriving at the casualty on 8 December and towage commenced in adverse weather conditions to a sheltered area with the permission of the UK Coastguard. On 9 December, the convoy arrived at Falmouth Bay and remained in the sheltered area under towage connection.

On 11 December, during the vessel’s stay at the sheltered area, the engine problem was rectified and on 14 December sea trials were performed with the salvage tug escorting.

On 15 December, when the weather conditions abated, towage commenced to Bayonne, France. After inspections and adjustments on the engine, the vessel proceeded under her own power,

Harbor Star - shore clean-up operation

In addition to the salvage operation carried out by Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. to recover the halfsunken MV VIET HAI STAR near Balabac, Palawan, the company also undertook a crucial off-shore oil spill response and cleanup effort spanning 741 meters of shoreline. It has diverse terrain of sandy beaches, pebbles, cobbles, boulders and mangroves.

Harbor Star assembled a team of 129 volunteers whose commitment was crucial in the cleanup while minimising harm to the marine ecosystem. Prioritising their safety, the company implemented stringent measures, conducting thorough health checks by qualified medical personnel to ensure volunteers were physically fit for the demanding tasks ahead (above right). Attention was given to factors like hydration and heat tolerance to mitigate risks of heat-related illnesses.

As well as personnel concerns, waste management was a significant issue (above left). A comprehensive plan was needed to transport both solid and liquidcontaminated waste to the treatment

facility, totaling 16.02 tonnes and 1.15 tonnes, respectively.

Movement required navigating waters aboard small boats and was further complicated by unpredictable weather and the presence of crocodiles and snakes adding to the challenges of the cleanup operation.

Harbor Star said: "Despite these obstacles, the sense of fulfillment derived from their efforts transcended mere contractual obligations. The works extended beyond fulfilling a legal mandate; it represented a profound commitment to restoring nature's balance

escorted by the ALP STRIKER.

On 17 December, the vessel arrived at Bayonne anchorage, escorted by the tug which provided standby services due to prevailing strong winds.

On 18 December, the GAZIBEY departed her anchorage with pilot attendance to Bayonne port and upon berthing the operation was successfully completed.

in the wake of environmental devastation

"By remedying the effects of the oil spill, they not only safeguarded precious marine habitats but also empowered the local community by ensuring the restoration of vital income sources reliant on the health of these ecosystems."