Greece-based Tsavliris Salvage has published details of its recent rescue tows. In one of them, bulk carrier Ecofaith G.O. (IMO: 9594913) suffered a breakage of its intermediate shaft around 214m from Kodiak Island, Alaska while on passage in ballast condition from China to Prince Rupert, Canada via South Korea. The vessel was leaking water into the engine room. Appointed salvor Tsavliris and its partners/
subcontractors, Resolve Marine and Alaska Maritime Agencies, dispatched Foss Maritime’s ice-class, twin-screw ocean tug Michele Foss to assist. It arrived on site in adverse weather conditions around five days later and established a towage connection the following day. The plan involved towing the disabled vessel to Dutch Harbor for emergency attendance and underwater inspection, before continuing with the second leg involving a tow to China for permanent repairs.
Prior to commencement of the tow, and under the salvor’s instructions, the tail shaft was secured to avoid it turning and to minimise the risk of further water ingress. A Tsavliris salvage team was mobilised from Greece to Dutch Harbor comprising senior salvage master/naval architect and senior salvage engineer. Several days later teams from both Tsavliris and its subcontractor boarded Resolve Marine’s tug Resolve Pioneer at Dutch Harbor to inspect the Ecofaith G.O., as per USCG requirements.
The following day they rendezvoused with the convoy, where it was established there was neither any water pumping out activity nor signs of pollution. The convoy arrived safely at Board Bay the next day, where the ship was secured to the emergency mooring buoy with assistance from two port tugs and a mooring boat, allowing the salvage team to inspect the engine room.
It was established the temporary repairs had been carried out satisfactorily, the shaft well secured and the water ingress rate stable. Divers started plugging and sealing the stern tube while engineers took measurements for fabrication of steel plates and stiffeners in order to secure the shafting system in place. The vessel was then moved to an alongside berth, permitting salvors to continue to prepare the vessel for onward tow to China. Temporary repairs to the shafting continued and, once divers completed sealing the stern tube, the integrity was tested by ballasting the ship, a towing bracket was also fitted on the forecastle.
Finally, 20 days after first involvement, salvage services were terminated and Tsavliris handed the ship back to its owners and it was subsequently towed by the Alp Maritime tug Alp Striker to Zhoushan, China for permanent repairs. Ecofaith G.O.’s registered owner is Deep Seas SA, Athens, Greece. ISM Manager is Gleamray Maritime, Athens, Greece. According to database, 2012-built Ecofaith G.O. (44,647 gt) is entered with UK P&I Club on behalf of Deep Seas SA.