After nearly three weeks of work a floating crane – Tak Lift 1 - was expected to be moved into place early on 14 January in the River Nene, before beginning work in cutting up and removing the stranded vessel `Lagik’ - possibly on 16 January (Tuesday) morning.

Robin Middleton, Secretary of States Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention said, "Now that the cargo and scrap have been removed, these sheerlegs will be brought into place and commence cutting the ship into three pieces. Each piece will be placed on a flat barge and will be cut into further 20 tonne pieces. Smaller sections will be landed onto the quay at Port Sutton Bridge and stored in pre-prepared areas pending final disposal."

The work has taken place after a unique partnership was signed late on Christmas Eve between Fenland District Council and Mr. Middleton, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), aimed at disposing of the vessel and the pollutants on board which grounded after attempting to turn in the River Nene near Port Sutton Bridge mid December.

The partnership follows a number of problems initially in identifying the exact owners of the German vessel, and their reluctance to take responsibility for removing the ‘Lagik’. Late on Christmas Eve, the identified owners confirmed to the UK authorities that they had abandoned all rights to ownership in the vessel.

A Dutch company, Smit Tak, renowned world wide for their expertise in salvage matters, was appointed to undertake the work, and permission was obtained from landowners and the Port Authority to begin using the quay for salvage purposes.

Robin Middleton, who with the Agency’s Principal Counter Pollution and Salvage officers oversaw the operation continued, " The special diving and salvage vessel ‘Deurloo’ which removed all of the cargo will leave the scene this evening 12 January (Friday), and the saleable cargo has been taken to a site at Port Sutton Bridge for onward sale and disposal.

"The MCA in concert with Fenland District Council and the Environment Agency has continued to monitor the environmental aspects of the operation since the ship grounded on the 14^th December last year.

"At the time of the incident the vessel was carrying a cargo of steel and had 27,000 litres of diesel oil on board; 1600 litres of lubricating oil and 400 litres of hydraulic oil, all of which have been safely removed."