The Director of Maritime Affairs said SLASPA is prepared to handle any additional pollution that may result from the floating of the tugboat.

SLASPA’s Director of Maritime Affairs, Mr. Christopher Alexander said Wednesday, that SLASPA has a plan in place to protect the maritime environment within the Castries Harbour during the resurfacing of a sunken tugboat, that is scheduled to take place early next week.

The Doggersbank sunk in Port Castries last October, and is currently being secured to remove any debris that may be inside the vessel; after which lifting bags will be filled with air to float the vessel.

“After the barnacles have been removed, the divers will conduct further assessments to ascertain where the placement of the lifting bags will be. When they have attached the lifting bags, the actual lifting of the tug will take place," Mr. Alexander said.

“You will appreciate that there will be silt coming out of that vessel, and maybe some oil which would have been in the engine of that sunken tug, so we will have a Marine Pollution Plan in place, we will have absorbent pads and the boom available just in case there is any oil coming from that vessel.”

The lifting bags for floating the tug are scheduled to arrive on island today. Lifting should take place early next week.

After the vessel is salvaged, the boat will be checked for damages and then towed to La Toc Bay where it will be released to the proprietor for further action.