Specialist Divers Begin Fuel Removal from MSC Elsa 3 Wreck
Specialist divers have begun removing remaining fuel from the MSC Elsa 3 wreck in the Arabian Sea, Indian authorities reported.
Salvage Operations Underway
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) says saturation diving operations started as part of the salvage effort, with teams working from the Diving Support Vessel Southern Nova to pump out residual bunkers under challenging underwater conditions.
Recovery Details
The recovery began on August 20, about 14.6 nautical miles off Alappuzha in Kerala, at an estimated depth of 51 metres. Additional support vessels, including Offshore Monarch, are assisting the DSV.
Safety Measures
Tugboat Canara Megh is enforcing a one-nautical-mile exclusion zone around the site to keep fishing craft and other traffic clear during the extraction work.
Salvage Plan and Timeline
SMIT Salvage, contracted by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and insurer North Standard after replacing an earlier firm, designed the salvage plan. The operation is projected to run until September 25, 2025, though weather and sea state may alter th...