42’ Center Console Recovered from a Precarious Perch on the Port Everglades Jetty

During the overnight hours of December 30th, a quad engine 42’ center console boat found its way onto the south jetty of Port Everglades. Miraculously there were no fatalities as a result of the crash but each of the 4 occupants sustained injuries. The crew from TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale began putting together a salvage plan early New Year’s Eve with a goal to recover the vessel before nightfall. The hull had several large holes from the allision as the rocks that make up the jetty are very sharp and irregularly shaped. The salvage crew worked most of the day patching holes in the fiberglass hull to ensure it would be safe to refloat the boat and tow her to a haul out facility. While patching was taking place, two of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale’s small tugs towed a crane barge to the site which was spudded down to the southwest of the casualty. A strap was rigged near the transom and the stern of the vessel was lifted. A large, very sharp rock was protruding through the port side of the boat about amidships. This rock was holding most of the weight of the boat from sliding back into the water. As strain was taken up by the crane, the boat began to stand more upright, the rock slowly lost its hold on the boat. Once the rock was completely clear of the hull the boat began to slide back toward the sea. A Towboat was rigged to the stern and the vessel was eased the rest of the way off the rocks. The boat was promptly towed to a boatyard that was located close to the scene and hauled out of the water.

From Large yachts to personal watercraft and everything in between, TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale has the expertise to handle your most complex marine problems. Call 24/7/365 for prompt, professional service!