The route the Höegh Osaka will take from Alpha Anchorage into Southampton Port has been announced.
Investigators are expected to board the stricken Höegh Osaka cargo ship in the Solent later today.
The vessel is currently stable on Alpha Anchorage and the salvage operation is ongoing.
At 10.30am this morning the list had been reduced to 25 degrees. All water has been removed from the car decks and it is anticipated that ballast operations will further reduce the list to 15 – 20 degrees today.
At this point Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigators will board the ship to gather information for their investigation. A skeleton ship’s crew will also board the Höegh Osaka in preparation for its move back to Southampton Port.
A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: ‘The exact time for the ship to move from Alpha Anchorage to Southampton Port has not finally determined when the conditions are right to do so, e.g. confidence in the ship’s stability, ship’s systems have been started up successfully, time of tide, wave and weather conditions.
‘The journey is expected to take four hours. Four tugs will help bring the ship in and the salvor will be assisted by two pilots and the ship’s master.
The route the Hoegh Osaka will take and the timings for the journey
The salvors will remain in charge of the ship until it is safely alongside.
During the towing operation to bring the Höegh Osaka in to Southampton Port, a Restricted Airspace (Temporary) (RAT) will be placed one mile either side of the navigation route and up to 2000ft. This is designed to provide essential safety during the towing operation.