Salvors have started the salvage operation to recover the sunken fishing trawler in the port of Valletta. The Italian fishing trawler Angela Arcella sank at its moorings in Laboratory Wharf after a collision with the cargo ship Maria. 

The vessel landed on its side on the sea bed.  Transport Malta gave immediate instructions for the vessel to be salvaged and held a technical meeting with those involved to approve the first phase of the operation.

The salvors will turn the vessel back on her keel today.  A diving survey will then further assess the damage. Divers will temporarily repair the vessel before pumping out water and bringing it back to the surface. The salvors will then tow the vessel to a repair facility. 

A Transport Malta Port Inspector is on site at all times.  We are monitoring the proceedings and immediately recover any effluent that might be released from the wreck.

These kind of operations take a long time to safeguard the structural integrity of the vessel and since the operation is happening within the harbour. The salvors have to work around ongoing port operations.  The vessel is expected to be resurfaced on Sunday.

Photo by Gaetano Spiteri/MarineTraffic.com