Due to an occurrence in Bulk Carrier OS 35, one of the vessels involved in a collision recently, all operations at Gibraltar port have been suspended until further notice.
Vessels currently at anchor can finish their bunker supply but no new vessels nor OPLs will be permitted. No service boats will be allowed to depart their berth unless contracted for Gibraltar Port Authority services, informed a communique.
The ongoing salvage operation to lower the aft of vessel has gone as planned. Since Saturday morning, the OS 35 is secure on the sandy seabed, putting it in the best position to withstand adverse weather conditions and for recovery operations going forward. The boom around the vessel has been removed as planned and current swell action around the vessel means it is not currently possible to replace it. Redeployment is under constant review to replace it at the earliest safe opportunity.
Some light sheening from residual fuel was experienced on Sunday and Monday, most of which was broken up by the water, as well as the release of very minor debris. To further minimise any impact, Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) deployed assets and will ramp up the response as the swell subsides. Although still light, sheening has been more extensive till date and additional vessels have been deployed, leading to all port operations involving launches to be halted to concentrate all available resources on the clean-up operation, the communique added.
Source: Exim News Service: Gibraltar, Sept. 21