Fugro announced on Friday, March 28, that the Fugro Mercator has been successfully towed to the shipyard for inspection. The geophysical research vessel ran aground on the northern coast of Elba Island, Italy, on March 22.
Fugro is grateful that the impact of the incident has remained limited as no one was hurt and no harm was done to the environment. The vessel will now be fully inspected at the shipyard. Fugro will also conduct a full analysis of the event to find out what caused the vessel to run aground.
The Fugro Mercator was carrying out research work for the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) as part of the Italian government’s Marine Ecosystem Restoration (MER) project. Fugro is working with the client to ensure that the work can continue as quickly as possible. The Fugro Helmert will soon sail to the Mediterranean to pick up the work, which will minimise the overall impact of the incident on the project.
