Press Release
Salvage Operations Update – Cristoforo Colombo
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk, Russian Federation, January 25th, 2005: The salvage of the dredger
Cristoforo Colombo, which ran aground at Kholmsk on Sakhalin Island on the 8th September 2004
during the Songda typhoon, has suffered considerable delays due to recent bad weather and
obstacles on the seabed.
The storms in December 2004 and January 2005 have caused considerable damage to the hull
and tanks such that the floating capacity of the vessel has diminished and the vessel cannot be
pulled off the shore without severe damage to its structural integrity.
Additionally, wave action during the storms has caused ice to form on board increasing the weight
of the vessel considerably.
All parties involved - including the vessel operators European Dredging Company and the
appointed salvage contractor Smit International and SakhBASU - are working hard to find a
solution that ensures that the environment will be safeguarded, that minimises disturbance to the
community of Kholmsk, minimises the destruction of the vessel and maximises the chances of
success. All the necessary precautions are being taken to prevent pollution, disturbance and
damage to the environment. To reduce the risk of possible environmental impacts, all oil and oily
water has been removed from the vessel and pumped into special containers and stored onshore
for treatment.
The option to pull the dredger off the shore is being reassessed. The impact of the storms and
identification of rock ridges between the vessel and the dredged channel – which is required to
allow the vessel to be towed off the shoreline and out to sea - will prevent a successful pulling
operation without some dismantling of the vessel. Other options, such as floating the vessel in a
man-made basin continue to be considered, but are dependent upon weather conditions.
Sakhalin Energy remains fully committed to assisting vessel operator, salvage contractor and
Kholmsk Administration in the safe and responsible removal of the grounded vessel.
Meanwhile, all of the good will projects agreed between the Kholmsk Administration and Sakhalin
Energy are in the process of being implemented in Kholmsk. They include deployment of oil spill
response equipment, Primorski Boulevard beautification, replacement of a kindergarten roof,
purchase of equipment and furniture for the children’s health clinic and provision of an emergency
medical centre at the hospital.
The Cristoforo Colombo is a trailing hopper suction dredger sailing under Belgian Flag and
operated by European Dredging Company S.A. The dredger was at rest just outside Kholmsk port
awaiting mobilisation to continue offshore works for the Sakhalin II project when it was blown
aground by the typhoon.
Further Inquiries:
Sakhalin Energy Sakhalin Energy
(Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) (Moscow)
+ 7 4242 73 2000 + 7 095 956 1750