MV Aeolian Sky

MV Aeolian Sky was a bulk cargo ship built in 1978 by Sumitomo Heavy Industries in Japan. The ship was registered in Greece and owned by the Aeolian Maritime Company. The ship is best known for its sinking in 1979 off the coast of England, which resulted in a significant salvage operation.

Construction and Design

The MV Aeolian Sky was a bulk carrier, a type of ship designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement. The ship was built by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, a major Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer. The ship was 169.03 meters long, with a beam of 27.01 meters and a depth of 14.02 meters. It had a gross tonnage of 16,660 and a deadweight tonnage of 28,500.

Operational History

The MV Aeolian Sky was launched in 1978 and entered service under the Greek flag. The ship was owned by the Aeolian Maritime Company, a Greek shipping company. During its operational life, the ship was involved in the transport of various bulk cargoes around the world.

Sinking

On November 4, 1979, the MV Aeolian Sky was involved in a collision with the German ship Anna Knuppel in the English Channel. The collision resulted in significant damage to the Aeolian Sky, which eventually sank on November 21, 1979. The ship's crew was rescued without loss of life.

Salvage Operation

The sinking of the MV Aeolian Sky resulted in a significant salvage operation. The ship's cargo, which included a variety of goods, was scattered across the sea floor. The salvage operation was complicated by the depth of the water and the condition of the ship, which had broken up on the sea floor.

Legacy

The wreck of the MV Aeolian Sky is now a popular site for scuba divers. The ship's sinking and subsequent salvage operation have also been the subject of several documentaries and books.