Scarborough, Tobago – August 16, 2024 – The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) is currently waiting for the next suitable weather window to resume efforts to refloat the overturned vessel off the coast of Cove, Tobago. Operations to refloat and tow the vessel were originally scheduled from August 5th to 10th, 2024. However, these efforts have been delayed due to adverse weather conditions, including rough seas and widespread thunderstorms caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto and other weather events during that period.
The Ministry emphasized that the safety of all personnel remains the top priority, and the risk of damaging sensitive equipment led to the suspension of operations. The next attempt to refloat the vessel will be scheduled based on advice from international experts overseeing the process. In the meantime, the vessel remains overturned and unmoved from its grounded location. Before the re-floating phase, the Ministry and its international partner, T&T Salvage, successfully completed the de-inventory phase, successfully pumping approximately 32,303 barrels of hydrocarbons from the barge.
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