Temporary NtM regarding the salvage of the MV Flinterstar

[Tiller Girl]

This UKHO NtM for a Temporary NtM was provided as a daily notice from yesterday:

5666(T)/2015 BELGIUM - Wandelaar - Wreck. Restricted areas. Buoy.
Source: Belgian Notice 21/246(T)/15 and Belgian Hydrographic Office

1. Salvage operations are taking place on the wreck of Flinterstar, in approximate position 51° 24´·01N., 3° 03´·72E.
2. The wreck is marked by a north cardinal light-buoy, Mo(D) S3bis, in position 51° 24´·24N., 3° 03´·80E.
3. A restricted area, entry prohibited, has been established between buoys S3, S3bis, S5 and measuring post MOW-0.
4. Fishing is prohibited within a radius of 1M of the wreck.
(WGS84 Datum)
Charts affected - 1630 (INT 1416) - 1872 - 1874 (INT 1474) - 2449

I have drawn up the location courtesy if Imray Chart C30.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Good to see you're up and about Rog. Stay well now, please!

 

[Koeketiene]

Some further information:

The wreck is likely to be there for some time yet - at least till next Spring.

The owners have 'abandoned' her.
This would mean that all cost related to her salvage would have to be borne by the Belgian taxpayer.
The Belgian government has now taken the owners to court to get them/their insurance pay for the salvage. Verdict now scheduled for the 28th of November.

Either way, a salvage company won't be appointed before that date. And due to the weather, salvage operations will most likely not start till next Spring.

All fuel and heavy oil have been removed from the wreck, so it poses no immediate risk to the environment.