The country’s Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin has praised the Hoegh Osaka salvage operation, which has seen the stricken vessel successfully returned to the port of Southampton without incident.
Last night the cargo vessel was towed from Alpha Anchorage to the dockside in Southampton, where plans will now get underway to remove the thousands of cars on board.
Patrick McLoughlin has said in a statement:
“I congratulate all those who have worked tirelessly day and night to bring this ship back to port. I would like to pay particular tribute to Hugh Shaw who oversaw the operation, with the help of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, salvage operators, and the pilots and tugs of the port of Southampton. They battled exceptionally difficult weather conditions with extraordinary dedication and courage. A full investigation into how the incident occurred is ongoing.”
Island Echo was the first news source in the country – and indeed the world – to report the international story when the Hoegh Osaka grounded on Brambles Bank nearly three weeks ago.
Photographs thanks to Corinna Haines/Graham Reading
