Marine operation: The Guangzhou Salvage Bureau's heavy-lift crane barge Hua Tian Long arrives in Hong Kong to remove the wreck of the Ukrainian oilfield support vessel off Lantau.

The Guangzhou Salvage Bureau's heavy-lift crane barge Hua Tian Long has arrived in Hong Kong to remove the wreck of the Ukrainian oilfield support vessel which sank off Lantau Island on March 22.

The salvage operation is expected to complete by month's-end. To ensure a safe salvage and avoid marine traffic congestion the work site vicinity was today declared a restricted area. During the operation no vessels, except those directly involved in the salvage work and other authorised vessels, will be allowed to enter the work area.

Vessels navigating in the vicinity should keep clear and proceed slowly with caution as there are divers working in the area. Special traffic-control arrangements will be implemented and marine launches will be deployed to guide traffic.

The barge will upright and lift the sunken vessel. A search for missing crew in the wreck will be conducted once it is out of the water.