A total of 12 tugs were involved in the operation. First the ship was made lighter by pumping off fuel and ballast. Dredgers and water jets prepared the ground around the ship for refloating. The tide, higher than normal, provided additional help for the operation.
Ben Lodemann, chairman of the Lotsenbrüderschaft Elbe pilot’s association praised the teamwork from all those involved: “Once again we have seen that in this special situation on the Elbe, all emergency services worked very professionally and effectively together, making the Elbe very safe pilotage waters.”
The CSCL Indian Ocean, with its cargo of up to 18,900 TEU (standard containers), is one of the largest containerships in the world. A technical defect occurred in the steering gear on the evening of 3 February off Lühesand, a small island in the River Elbe. On the advice of the Elbe pilots the ship was brought to the north edge of the fairway. This manoeuvre enabled the navigation channel to be kept open for shipping. Possible damage on the south edge of the navigation channel was avoided.