Surin Islands: The stern of MV AYAR LINN has been floated 1 meter above the reef as efforts continue to salvage the Myanmar cargo ship that struck a coral reef at Surin Islands National Park. The Department of National Parks has revealed that full force is being applied to lift the front of the vessel to restore balance. Once the ship is fully removed, restoration of the coral reef will commence.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, received a report from Mr. Kriangkrai Puacharoen, Chief of the Surin Islands National Park, on the salvage operation's progress for the MV AYAR LINN. The cargo ship has been grounded on the coral reef since June 1st, and recent updates indicate that the stern has been lifted approximately 1 meter from the reef.
The operation is a collaborative effort involving Surin Islands National Park, Similan Islands National Park, Marine National Park Operations Center 2 (Phuket), the Special Diving Unit, and the Moken Thai community. These groups have been working tirelessly to lift the ship from the reef and mitigate any further damage to the marine ecosystem.
Recent advancements in the operation include the installation of 150 oil tanks to enhance lifting power, the addition of 2 tons of airbags (Life bags) boosting total lifting force to 43 tons, and the removal of 2,400 cement bags from the ship, with only 600 remaining. Preparations are underway to safely anchor the vessel and use a tugboat to maneuver it once fully afloat.
Despite the bow of the ship not being completely lifted yet, there has been some movement. This is attributed to the current lifting force being insufficient due to the weight of the remaining cement bags and fuel tanks.
For today's plan, June 18, 2025, the operation team aims to swiftly remove the remaining cement bags and install 100 additional fuel tanks to provide adequate lift to the bow. Once the ship is balanced and afloat, it will be relocated to a secure resting point away from the coral reef.
This operation highlights the significance of minimizing impacts on coral reefs and showcases the effective collaboration between various agencies, expert divers, and local communities committed to preserving natural resources.
Mr. Atthaphon stressed the challenges posed by the salvage operation, including technical, temporal, and environmental factors. However, he remains confident that the collective determination of all parties involved will ensure the sustainable preservation of the coral reefs and ecosystems within the Surin Islands National Park.