Hoegh Osaka under Tow

zoomGrounded Hoegh Osaka Grounded car carrier Hoegh Osaka that self floated at 1.55pm yesterday at high tide is under tow to a preferred holding position 2 miles east of the original grounding position. The new location is inside the Queens Harbour Master Portsmouth (QHM) jurisdiction and is close to the area called Spitbank, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said in an update. 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 list of the ship is unchanged and all salvors had left the vessel safely, according to the Coastguard. 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, the Coastguard added.