The Solent nearly got itself a new racing mark for 2015 after the massive container ship, Hoegh Osaka, was grounded on the Bramble Bank. "Someone's parked on our cricket pitch," tweeted Volvo Ocean Race and round the world pioneer for women's racing Tracy Edwards. She was referring to the annual cricket match held on the bank which is exposed at low water.

It eventually came to light that the ship was grounded deliberately after developing a list. The pilot, fearful of a capsize in the busy shipping lane, parked it on the bank with the aim of keeping damage to a minimum. And all seems to have turned out well, as although attempts to re-float it were initially unsuccessful, the Hoegh Osaka was obviously keen to get off and re-floated herself prompting swift action to tow her to more sheltered waters at Spitbank, on the outer reaches of Portsmouth Harbour..

Salvage experts Svitzer were called in to re-float the ship. They have reported that a JCB, part of over 100 on the boat, came free and made a hole in the ship's side. They said most of the cargo - which counted a variety of luxury cars amongst its inventory, including a Rolls Royce and 1,000 Jaguars, was still intact.

This video has an interesting graphic showing the grounding.


For other containter ship mishaps, see Container Ship Destroys a Marina and Ship breaks in two: amazing video.

Hoegh Osaka video

The Hoegh Osaka high and dry on Bramble Bank..



 

Written by: Gael Pawson
Gael Pawson is the editor of Yachts & Yachting Magazine and the founder of Creating Waves. A keen racer, she has sailed all her life, and started writing about the subject whilst studying journalism at university. Dinghies and small keelboats are her first loves, but she has cruised and raced a huge variety of boats in locations across the world.