Fugro Mercator Grounded: Crew Safe, Vessel Under Inspection
The Fugro Mercator, a survey vessel operated by Fugro, has been towed to a shipyard for a thorough inspection following a grounding incident that occurred on March 22. All 11 crew members were safely evacuated and taken ashore, with Fugro coordinating a salvage operation alongside international experts and local authorities. During the incident, the vessel was conducting survey work for the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research off the coast of Elba when it sought refuge from worsening weather conditions.
Investigation and Future Operations
Fugro reported that the impact of the grounding was minimal, emphasizing that there were no injuries among the crew and no environmental damage. The company is committed to understanding the circumstances that led to the incident and will conduct a detailed review. The vessel will undergo a full inspection at the shipyard to ensure its readiness for future operations.
To minimize disruption to ongoing projects, Fugro plans to deploy the Fugro Helmert to the Mediterranean shortly. This vessel will assume the survey commitments previously held by the Fugro Mercator, allowing the company to maintain continuity in its work, particularly in relation to the Italian government’s Marine Ecosystem Restoration Project. Erik-Jan Bijvank, Fugro’s group director for Europe and Africa, stated, “The safety of our crew and the protection of the environment are our top priorities, and we are relieved that both were upheld during this challenging event.” Fugro aims to resume activities as swiftly as possible while ensuring the utmost safety and environmental stewardship.
