A diver checks on the base portion of MV Belle Rose which ran aground in Monad Shoal Sunday last week. (CDN PHOTO/FERDINAND EDRALIN)
CEBU CITY—The Panamanian-registered cargo vessel that ran aground in a famous dive spot off Malapascua Island, Daanbantayan town in Cebu was refloated past 10 a.m. on Monday, after two days of slowly pulling it back to deeper waters.
Noel Kimmayong, marine superintendent from Malayan Towage and Salvaging Corp., said MV Belle Rose was now floating on waters with a depth of 100 to 200 meters.
“We were able to pull it to almost 100 meters backwards where water was deeper,” Kimmayong said.
The salvor company deployed three tugboats used in pulling the vessel, which ran aground in Monad Shoal while enroute to San Fernando town, southern Cebu.
Two tugboats were at the rear of the vessel to pull it back while another was at the other end to maintain balance.
The operations started on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during high tide.
Aside from pulling back the vessel, Kimmayong said they also discharged water from the forward section to lighten the vessel. Initial plan was to discharge 500 tons of water.
Kimmayong said the vessel would be inspected to check other damage before it would be towed to San Fernando.