The Chinese-flagged bulk carrier Hua Heng 166 (2011/32,965gt) arrived at the port of Portland (pictured below) in November 2012 for emergency repair work, assisted into harbour by the local tug Maiden Castle. Repairs were needed after the bulker, which had been on passage between Rotterdam and Turkey, was damaged in a collision with an unknown object, while transiting the English Channel.
The 189m Hua Heng 166 needed emergency work after she collided with a submerged object, possibly a container that had fallen off another vessel. Divers had to go down to put a plate on the bulker to cover the hole so the no.2 hold could be pumped out, as this hold had been flooded. Following the completion of the extensive repairs, however, the vessel’s departure was delayed by bad weather. She eventually continued on her way, crossing the Atlantic to Vancouver.
