Salvage operations underway for sunken fishing trawler

Salvage operations are underway as salvors today started to recover the sunken fishing trawler in the Valletta Grand Harbour.

The Italian fishing trawler Angela Arcella, carrying fish bait, sank at its moorings in Laboratory Wharf on Tuesday after a collision with the cargo ship Maria, which had developed engine trouble as it was berthing.

The collision caused the Angela Arcella to capsize and land on its side on the sea bed. Two crewmen managed to jump ship into the sea and later were taken to hospital, although they were not seriously injured. 

The first phase of the salvage operation started after Transport Malta held a technical meeting with those involved to approve the course of action.

Transport Malta explained in a statement that first, the salvors will turn the vessel back on her keel, followed by a diving survey which will then further assess the damage.

“Divers will temporarily repair the vessel before pumping out water and bringing it back to the surface. The salvors will then tow the vessel to a repair facility,” Transport Malta said.

With a port inspector on site at all times, Transport Malta is monitoring the proceedings.

“Transport Malta will immediately recover any effluent that might be released from the wreck,” it said.

Transport Malta added that the reason for the amount of time taken to carry out this operation was “to safeguard the structural integrity of the vessel.” This process, it said, was only extended by the fact that the operation is taking place within the harbour.

“The salvors have to work around ongoing port operations,” Transport Malta explained.

The vessel is expected to be resurfaced on Sunday.