Photo Album:

The Surveying Vessel SKA 11 ran aground in Greenland and sank during the Salvage Operation

Just minutes after the SKA 11 surveying vessel was towed off the ground,
it started sinking.
(Photo: RDN/Island Command Greenland)

During survey operations off Naval Station Gronnedal in the Arsuk Fjord in Greenland, the surveying vessel SKA 11 ran aground on a sunken rock, Thursday April 27, 2006. The crew abandoned the vessel, and was saved by the sister ship, SKA 12, which was close by.

Tug assistance was called in from Nuuk, and several attempts were made to get the vessel off the rock, but cold gale force wind and snow fall in the area made the salvage operation extremely difficult and hazardous.

After five days and severe weather and tide, it was noticed Tuesday, that there was severe damage to the starboard side of the hull, but despite the risk of sinking, it was descided to bring the ship afloat the next day at daylight and high tide.

On Wednesday morning (local time), May 3, 2006, the salvage operation began, as the tug started to tow the vessel of the ground. But minutes after the vessel was brought free of the rock, SKA 11 sank and now rest 300 metres below the sea level.

There is no information whether further salvage attempts will be made.

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Sources:
"	Island Command Greenland - Gronnedal
"	Søopmålingen Grønland - Gronnedal
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This page was first published: May 16, 2006