Resolve starts Sri Lanka wreck removal project

Resolve Salvage and Fire (Asia) Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of U.S. – based Resolve Marine Group, Inc., has started the removal of six vessel wrecks that were sunk in Kankesanthurai Harbor (KKS) between 1994 and 1996 during hostilities involving the Tamil Tigers. Situated on the northern coast of Sri Lanka, the harbor was badly damaged in the conflict and has since been closed for commercial activity.

The Government of India (GOI) has taken responsibility for rehabilitation of the harbor and has provided grant funding for the initial stages.

Resolve was awarded the contract for the wreck removal work by Shipping Corporation of India, the administrator of the project.

The six wrecks range in size from 17 m to 99.5 m and are either fully or partially submerged, obstructing safe access to, and transit within the harbor.

The operation will include the use of state-of-the-art, 3-D image scanning equipment which will identify all obstructions within a 500-meter radius of each wreck, nsuring removal of wreck debris in preparation for dredging of the and channel. Two wrecks are outside the harbour and four are within .

Resolve has mobilized personnel and equipment to cut up the vessels and move the wreckage ashore, where the scrap will be disposed of, clearing the harbor in preparation for dredging operations and further rehabilitation.

At a ceremony marking the start of the job at Kankesanthurai Harbor on July 26, ResolvE Marine Group President Joseph E. Farrell, Jr. said, “We are honored to be a member of the team and are committed to rapid completion of the first phase wreck removal that will clear the way for development and commercial activity in the harbor. This initiative is important not only to the people of Sri Lanka, it is important to the Resolve team as it presents another opportunity to carry out our corporate philosophy, ‘ To leave the world a better place.’ “

August 2, 2011