Grounded car carrier near Southhampton refloats with high tide

Salvage plan is still being developed for Hoegh Osaka.    The U.K. Maritime and Coast Guard office said that the Hoegh Osaka, the car carrier that went aground on Brambles Bank in the Solent on Saturday, has “self-floated at high water and the intention is to tow her to a holding position in Southampton Water pending a full assessment of her condition.
   “A decision on the next phase of the salvage operation will be made after the assessment,” it added.
   The BBC reported local police were saying the ship, in waters near the shipping channels that lead to the port of Southampton, was “under control.”
   Some sources described the refloating of the vessel as unexpected, and as recently as this morning, Hoegh had said the U.K. Coast Guard had confirmed the vessel would not be refloated today.
   Hoegh said “salvors are continuing the assessments of the vessel and analysis in order to prepare for a safe and successful salvage operation.
   “The onboard inspections made by the salvors are performed to gather information for the salvage plan. The report from the inspections shows that most cargo is still in position as originally stowed and is held in place by the lashings. However, all decks have not so far been accessed. There are no specific reports as to the condition of the cargo,” it added.
   Hoegh said “There has been some water ingress resulting from a small crack in the hull, which is reported to have been caused by one cargo item that has shifted. This crack has now been temporarily repaired.”