The geophysical survey vessel Fugro Mercator has been successfully towed to a shipyard for inspection following its grounding off the north coast of Elba, Italy, on March 22.
The incident, which fortunately resulted in no injuries or environmental damage, has prompted Fugro to launch a full investigation into the cause of the grounding. The vessel was engaged in survey work for the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) as part of the country’s Marine Ecosystem Restoration (MER) Project when the incident occurred.
According to Erik-Jan Bijvank, Group Director Europe & Africa at Fugro, the swift response from the Italian coastguard and salvage partners played a critical role in ensuring the crew’s safety and the vessel’s recovery. “We are very grateful to the Italian coastguard and our partners for their swift and effective response in evacuating our crew and salvaging the Fugro Mercator,” said Bijvank. “The safety of our crew and the protection of the environment are our top priorities, and we are relieved that both were upheld during this challenging event.”
While the vessel undergoes a full technical inspection at the shipyard, Fugro is also conducting an internal review to understand how the situation unfolded. There’s no word yet on the extent of the damage or how long the Mercator will remain out of service.
To avoid disruption to the MER Project, Fugro is deploying the Fugro Helmert to the Mediterranean to assume the survey duties previously assigned to the Mercator. The company says this move will minimize delays and allow project operations to resume swiftly.
The MER Project, led by the Italian government, focuses on mapping and restoring marine ecosystems, and the data collected by vessels like the Mercator plays a central role in environmental planning and conservation strategies.
Fugro has not disclosed specific operational delays or financial impacts related to the incident but reaffirmed its commitment to the MER Project and to working closely with ISPRA to maintain progress.
This grounding marks a rare interruption in Fugro’s global geophysical survey operations, highlighting the operational risks even in routine offshore work. The industry will be watching closely as more details emerge from the company’s internal investigation.
