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Discharge is expected to start later today or tomorrow and continue over the next days. 26 January 2015 23 January at 15.00 GMT Höegh Osaka was safely delivered back to Höegh Autoliners as owners and the Lloyd’s Open Form with the salvage company was officially terminated. UK authorities (the MAIB and the MCA) have over the last days performed their inspections and controls of the vessel. The inspections confirm there are only minor damages to the vessel. Before the inspections are completed Höegh Autoliners have not been able to start the discharge operation. We expect the final approval from the authorities today and that the discharge operation can start later today or tomorrow and be completed at the end of this week or early next week. According to current reports; all cargo, apart from some large units on the main deck, are held by their lashings. As reported earlier, there has been water ingress to the lower car decks. Due to the list of the vessel, it seems however as only a limited number of vehicles on these decks have been affected by the water ingress. It is still too early to say more about the status of the cargo. Once the vehicles have been landed, proper cargo surveys will take place by the cargo owners and their surveyors. We will revert when we have more details. Höegh Osaka update 13 January 2015 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency makes the following announcement today. “The vessel remains held in position at anchor on the Alpha Anchorage. The weather in the Solent is good and the waters reasonably calm. This weather window will allow two new pumps to be installed and if the weather continues to be favourable, for the divers to inspect the hull. The salvors will use a dedicated helicopter to transport them to and from the ship. This helicopter is expected to arrive on scene this afternoon. The tug that was damaged in the contact incident during the bad weather at the weekend is repaired and back on scene. However, because all salvage activity is highly dependent on the weather the activity on scene is likely to be curtailed tomorrow as the forecast is for strengthening winds reaching a peak between 1800 Wednesday and 0600 Thursday. The salvors are confident what with the anchor and three tugs connected the strong winds should not present a problem for holding the ship in place and have extensive contingency plans for any unexpected ship movements.” Höegh Osaka update 12 January 2015 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency makes the following announcement today. "The vessel remains held in position at anchor on the Alpha Anchorage. Yesterday, the salvors pumped water for 1-2 hours; there was no discharge of oil. They checked the ballast system. They intend rigging another pump in the lower hold to pump into the ship’s tanks as well as overboard. However, all salvage activity is highly dependent on the weather, which is forecast to be very poor this week, peaking at 18.00 [GMT] on Wednesday to 06. 00 [GMT] Thursday. The port is considering taking the pilot off the scene because the worsening weather will make it harder to relieve them at the end of shift, subject to discussion with the salvors. Vessel Traffic System contact will be maintained and, if necessary, a pilot could be returned to the scene. Although it is still some way off, plans for the vessel’s return to dock continue, to ensure the discharge of cargo is done safely and access policed/restricted as appropriate." Höegh Osaka update 11 January 2015 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency makes the following announcement today. "The vessel remains at anchor on the Alpha Anchorage. Yesterday weather conditions prevented any activity on the vessel other than to connect the third tug. Unfortunately, during the afternoon, one of the two tugs already in place moved from her position and collided with the Hoegh Osaka. There were no injuries to personnel, but the tug received some damage and it was replaced by another tug. No pollution occurred during this incident. The main concern at the moment is the weather and the forecast for continuing high winds in the coming week. Plans are being refined to meet the challenges this presents. In particular, the salvors now intend to start ballasting work before pumping the 3000t of water out of the vessel. They have managed to board the ship today and will ensure the pump is working, but they will also look at the ballast system." 
Höegh Osaka update 10 January 2015 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency makes the following announcement today "The vessel has been held by an anchor on the Alpha Anchorage for another night. During the night due to very high winds the vessel dragged anchor for approximately 100m. This has not changed the state of the vessel in anyway. The list has not altered and there is still no evidence of pollution. During the time the Hoegh Osaka dragged anchor, between 4am to 5am this morning, the Queen Mary 2 was coming into port reporting 72 knot winds. Two tugs remain attached to the Hoegh Osaka, one fore and one aft. The aim is to attach another tug to the bow if weather permits. The weather conditions today are unsafe for the salvors to board to finalise pumping arrangements." Höegh Osaka update 9 January 2015 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency makes the following announcement today: "The vessel has been held by an anchor on the Alpha Anchorage overnight. Weather conditions on scene have eased and the salvors boarded the vessel at 8.30 am [GMT] to prepare for the removal of water from the vessel. This lengthy process will begin later today and continue during daylight hours over the weekend. During the operation to remove the water inside, the list of the vessel will be constantly monitored. Because of the weather conditions on-scene divers are still waiting to carry out a further inspect of the hull. They are standing-by and will dive as soon as conditions permit. There is no evidence of pollution. Daily updates will be issued over the weekend." Höegh Osaka update 8 January 2015 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency made the following announcement today: "The vessel is currently stable at the anchorage. Three tugs kept it in place overnight despite some high winds early in the early hours. 3000tons of water is estimated to be on the vessel. Work will start today, when the weather improves, to pump this water off. An oily film has formed on top of this water from the hydraulics of the vehicles on board. The salvors will use a technique that draws the water from the bottom of the vessel to avoid this oily film. The removal of this water should reduce the vessel’s list. Before the vessel can be moved back to the Port of Southampton between five and seven days of salvage work that needs to be completed. This includes a hull inspection by divers, the removal of the water that entered the ship through the now repaired crack and ballasting operations to reduce the list. Salvage teams are on board the vessel today and The Queen’s Harbour Master has now introduced an exclusion zone of 300m to remove the risk to leisure users of the Solent. Current weather forecast is for a worsening at 0300 on Friday, abating during the morning and picking up again at 1500 and reaching very high winds Saturday am." For information about the salvage operation, please contact the MCA. Höegh Osaka being moved. 7 January 2015 According to the latest update from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Höegh Osaka self floated at 1.55pm GMT and all salvors had left the vessel safely. The list of the ship is reported to be unchanged and the vessel is currently under tow to a preferred holding position 2 miles east of the original grounding position. This new location is just inside Portsmouth Harbour and is close to the area called Spitbank. Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth has established a temporary exclusion zone of 300 metres around the vessel. Only exempt vessels are to enter the exclusion zone. The tow to the new position is being carried out by Svitzer, the salvors, and the new holding position will allow a full assessment of her condition. Disruption to the Port of Southampton is minimal; there will be a slight restriction in traffic movements until the Hoegh Osaka is clear of the main channel, but no closure of the port is anticipated. For access to MCA's update: http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.no/ Höegh Osaka - update 5 January 2015 We confirm that Svitzer has been appointed as the salvors for Höegh Osaka and that a salvage team have boarded our vessel to assess the impact of the grounding. Once the assessment is complete, Svitzer will develop a salvage plan that will then be assessed by SOSREP (Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage). There is no evidence that any pollution has occurred, and an environment group has been activated to monitor and advise as necessary. A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation into the grounding has been started. Höegh Osaka - update from the press conference 4 January 2015 Ingar Skiaker, CEO of Höegh Autoliners made the following statement in the press conference today. Ingar Skiaker, CEO of Höegh Autoliners said today (Sunday 4 January 2015): “Our vessel Höegh Osaka is currently grounded at Bramble Bank in the Solent outside the port of Southampton. All crew plus one pilot, in total 25 people were evacuated from the vessel and all are safe and accounted for. Two crew members were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The crew is currently being offered all possible support and assistance to help them cope with the ordeal they have been through. We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this challenging rescue operation, with a special thanks to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the RNLI, DNV, Gard and Southampton’s Port Authorities. Höegh Autoliners key concern has been for the crew and we are thankful to everyone that they are all safely ashore. Our vessel developed a severe list shortly after she left port and the pilot and the master took the decision to save the vessel and its crew by grounding her on the bank. This showed great skill and seamanship on behalf of our crew when faced with such challenging circumstances. At this stage it is too early to speculate on the cause of the list but we are starting an immediate investigation. Right now we have serious work ahead of us in order to free the vessel from the Bramble Bank without disrupting the flow of traffic in and out of the Port of Southampton. An investigation is ongoing as to what occurred last night and that is being conducted by the MAIB. Our chief concern now is to ensure there is no environmental damage from this incident. There is no oil spill reported at this point however we understand that the UK authorities have brought their spill response to a state of active readiness. The vessel is currently considered stable, and we are closely working with our appointed salvors Svitzer, who in turn, are working alongside Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention, as well as the Port of Southampton, to prepare for a safe and successful salvage of the vessel with minimal disruption to the port and it environment.” Höegh Osaka 4 January 2015 4th January 2015, Höegh Autoliners are currently assessing damage and stability issues on board its vessel, the ‘Höegh Osaka’ which suffered a heavy list earlier yesterday evening after leaving Southampton Port. Höegh Autoliners primary concern has been for the crew on board and it has been confirmed that one crew member has been injured and he was airlifted to Queen Alexander Hospital in Portsmouth with non-life threatening injuries. The remaining crew have been taken to HMS Daedalus at Stubbington by helicopter and will be accommodated locally overnight. However, a small number of senior officers remain on board. The Marine Accident Incident Branch (MAIB) has been informed. Two Svitzer tugs & two further Solent-based tugs are presently in attendance by the vessel. The crew have confirmed that the vessel is not taking in any water and they are presently in a stable position with current list. A salvage master has been appointed and Höegh Autoliners are fully co-operating with all the authorities at this time to ensure the vessel remains safe. No pollution has been reported. Höegh Autoliners press release 
The Hoegh Osaka listing in the waters of the Solent. Photograph: Simon Czapp/Solent News 
Car carrier Höegh Osaka 
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