Caption: The Gulfstream after being refloated. Photo: MEEI
By Prior Beharry
JUST over six months after it was discovered capsized on the south east coast of Tobago, the Gulfstream has been refloated.
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) in a release on Tuesday stated that the barge which was found grounded off the coast of Cove, Tobago, since February 7, 2024, was successfully re-floated.
The operation, which began at 5.50 pm on Monday was concluded at 11.54 pm, the release stated.
The Gulfstream was carrying about 85,000 barrels of fuel oil when it capsized. It was being towed by a barge called the Solo Creed which turned off its tracking beacon shortly after the incident.
Tobago officials said that about 50,000 barrels of waste material were spilled along 15 kilometres of the Caribbean island’s coastline.
Minister of Energy Stuart Young had said the clean-up cost could be about US $30million.
The Gulfstream will be taken to Trinidad.
There has been little success in identifying the owners of the vessels. Young said in May that official requests were made to Tanzania, Nigeria, Panama, Aruba, Curacao and Panama for assistance in tracing and tracking the true owners of the vessels.
The refloat operation was managed by a team from the internationally recognised salvage company, T&T Salvage Inc. The team included a senior salvage master, a naval architect, and skilled salvors, supported by technical staff from the MEEI.
Currently, the barge, named Gulfstream, is stationed approximately three nautical miles from its original location, afloat in waters 60 meters deep off the coast of Cove. It is secured and supported by tugs, the release stated.
The temporary facility set up at the Cove site has been decommissioned by the MEEI. The focus now shifts to an underwater survey conducted by a dive team utilising Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) certified divers. This survey is essential for assessing previously inaccessible areas of the barge and removing any debris that could impact towing operations.
The release stated that once the dive survey is completed, the barge will be cleared for the transit/tow phase. The Gulfstream, still in an overturned state, will be towed by two support tugs from the National Energy Corporation, along with other vessels, on a journey from Cove, Tobago to Port of Spain, Trinidad. This journey is estimated to take approximately 33 hours.
As a precaution, the Gulfstream will be escorted by NOFI Current Busters and QT Environmental pollution response crews, who are trained in recovering oil from the sea surface during its transit to Port of Spain.
The MEEI has been leading and managing the overall response to this incident. They will continue to provide regular updates as the re-float and tow operations progress.
Excellent news