Pacific Towing (PacTow) has successfully refloated the grounded Coral Expeditions cruise vessel Coral Adventurer (IMO 9838644).
The refloating operation was completed on the afternoon of December 30, 2025, near Dregerhafen, approximately 65 miles north-east of Lae, Papua New Guinea.
Following the vessel’s grounding, Pacific Towing was engaged to lead the salvage and recovery operation. The successful outcome was achieved through prompt and professional coordination between the crew onboard Coral Adventurer and shore-based support teams from Coral Expeditions, the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA), and Pacific Towing.
Pacific Towing’s diving and salvage specialists coordinated the refloating operation, with support from the PacTow tug Langila (IMO 9018933).
“We are very pleased with the result of this operation,” said Gerard Kasnari, General Manager of Pacific Towing.
“Our rapid response and the strong teamwork demonstrated by all parties ensured a safe and efficient refloat, while maintaining safety, the integrity of the vessel and protection of the marine environment as our top priorities," he added.
Pacific Towing is Papua New Guinea’s and Melanesia’s market leader in marine services and salvage, with operations extending across the broader region. The company has been operating for nearly 50 years and is a full member of the International Salvage Union (ISU) and the International Spill Control Organisation (ISCO).
Pacific Towing provides marine services to both upstream and downstream oil and gas clients, as well as a wide range of other industry sectors. The company owns and operates a fleet of 21 vessels and maintains its own Australian-trained and certified commercial dive team.
Employing more than 200 people, of whom 97 per cent are national employees, Pacific Towing is committed to workforce development and diversity. The company partners with the Australian Government on female cadetship training programmes.
With operations across Papua New Guinea’s major ports and in the Solomon Islands, Pacific Towing is headquartered in Port Moresby at its dedicated tug base and HACCP-certified camp. The company is ISO certified to international standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
