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The Tasmanian Ports Corporation (TasPorts) is finally set to remove the wrecks of two sunken tugs from the bottom of Mersey River at the port of Devonport, which has had to modify operations because of the location of the wrecks.<\/p>\n
TasPorts announced that together with United Salvage, it has engaged heavy lift ship AAL Melbourne<\/em> to complete the removal of the York Cove<\/em> and Campbell Cove<\/em> wrecks in order to return all commercial berths at the port of Devonport to full operations.<\/p>\n The two tugs have been lying at the bed of the Mersey River since late January, when they sank after they were struck by the cement carrier Goliath. Both York Cove <\/em>and Campbell Cove<\/em> were declared a constructive total loss.<\/p>\n The incident also caused damage to the wharf, required a complicated clean-up operation, and continues to disrupt port operations, particularly in relation to berthing of large vessels. TasPorts says that removal of the wrecks is critical in order to return all commercial berths at the port of Devonport to working order.<\/p>\n TasPorts, its insurer and United Salvage have had to hire AAL Melbourne<\/em> for the complex salvage operation after abandoning initial plans to use a special lifting barge, the St Vincent.<\/em> The barge is stuck in Brisbane and cannot make the trip to Devonport due to unfavorable weather on Australia’s east coast.<\/p>\n “For some time we have been actively engaging on contingency plans if a lift using the St Vincent <\/em>lifting barge was ultimately not possible," said Stephen Casey, TasPorts chief operating officer. "With the operational planning work completed, we are now ready to enact the plan."<\/p>\n