Grounded ship at Karachi seaview successfully refloated after 7 weeks

KARACHI: After multiple efforts to refloat grounded cargo vessel (MV) Heng Tong 77 that has been stuck on the Karachi coast since July 20, the salvage master recently commissioned to extricate the ill-fated ship has successfully put it back into the sea, ARY News reported.

At the time of publishing this news, the ship has already been 2000 meters into the sea from the coast where it was stranded in July.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Maritime Affairs Mahmood Moulvi said since the ship has been refloated and is now in the safe waters, it will be taken into custody for a further investigation.

He said although the refloating endeavor took a fortune for the cost, the entire bill was footed by the ship owner and none by the government.

Attempt to free grounded ship underway at Karachi beach during high tide

Earlier in the morning it was reported that the attempt to extricate the stuck ill-fated cargo ship during the high tide at the Seaview beach has so far achieved a 100-meter distance with three strong tugging ropes fastened to pull it back.

The new attempt today after the last one in late August failed, has been carried out with the help of an expert salvage master, two crane barges and two tugs.

In the previous attempt, the failure was due to the inexperienced teams and frail and old pull ropes after which the new team, now in charge, was hired.

The maritime affairs ministry and Karachi Port Trust have ordered inquiry reports on why the previous salvaging endeavours were failed wherein the shipowner was asked to furnish steps he took for the extrication.