Wreck salvage in Hong Kong

Heavy-lift crane barge Hua Tian Long has arrived in Hong Kong to remove the wreck of a Ukrainian oilfield support vessel which sank off Lantau Island on 22 March.

Hua Tian Long is owned by the Guangzhou Salvage Bureau, Guangzhou, China.

The salvage operation is due for completion by the end of April, according to government information. To help ensure a safe salvage operation and to avoid marine traffic congestion the work site has been declared a restricted area. During the operation only authorised vessels and those directly involved in the salvage work will be allowed to enter the work area.

The heavy lift vessel Hua Tian Long will upright and lift the sunken vessel. A search for missing crew in the wreck will be conducted once it is out of the water.

Vessels navigating in the vicinity should keep clear and proceed slowly with caution as there are divers working in the area, the government advised. Traffic-control arrangements will be implemented and marine launches will be deployed to guide traffic.