CSCL Indian Ocean refloated

The massive China Shipping containership was freed after being stuck on a sandbar for nearly a week in the River Elbe leading to the Port of Hamburg.    The CSCL Indian Ocean, an ultra-large containership that had been grounded for nearly a week in the River Elbe, was freed early Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the Lotsenbrüderschaft Elbe pilot’s association.
   The massive 19,100-TEU vessel was refloated with the help of the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, the Federal Water and Shipping Administration, salvage companies, Elbe pilots and a total of 12 tugs. The ship will now undergo inspections to determine if any damage was done when it ran aground on Feb. 5 before continuing on its voyage. 
   In order to free the ship and return it to the navigation channel leading to the Port of Hamburg, authorities first removed the fuel and ballast water to make it lighter while dredgers and water jets prepared the ground around the ship for refloating. The Elbe pilot’s association said a higher-than-normal tide provided additional help in the operation.
   According to the association, a technical defect occurred in the steering gear on the evening of Feb. 3 off Lühesand, a small island in the River Elbe, and at that time the Elbe pilots advised the ship be brought to the north edge of the fairway to avoid disrupting other vessel traffic.
   Ben Lodemann, chairman of the Lotsenbrüderschaft Elbe pilot’s association, praised the teamwork of all involved. “Once again we have seen that in this special situation on the Elbe, all emergency services worked very professionally and effectively together, making the Elbe very safe pilotage waters.”