Bahamian Salvage Operation Displays Versatility and
Responsiveness of The TowBoatU.S. Fleet
Late one night in mid June, TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale received a call reporting a vessel aground on the rocks North of Bimini near Great Isaacs Light in the Bahamas. During the hours that followed, the salvage crew, operations staff and administrative personnel worked tirelessly to secure the job and prepare for the 0peration. The vessel was a 60' Defender which was precariously perched upon a rock with several holes in the hull and a keel that was completely torn from the bottom of the boat.
TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale was hired by the owner to undertake salvage operation and return her safely to South Florida. The M/V Richard L. Becker and TowBoatU.S. #5 were chosen for this job. The Richard L. Becker was a natural choice as it allowed the salvage crew to load all of the gear necessary to efficiently execute the job including several dewatering pumps, lift bags, scuba tanks, a rigid hulled inflatable tender and patching materials; it also represented a perfect platform to feed and berth the crew for what could have been a lengthy operation. The boat is a 96' OSV that is docked in Dania Beach Florida when she is not on charter. Her expansive aft deck and knuckle boom crane insured that all of the gear could be loaded neatly and efficiently allowing the salvage crew to get underway within several hours of securing the contract. TowBoatU.S. #5 is a 31' twin diesel utility boat that was used to carry personnel and gear between the Richard L. Becker and the casualty. With her shallow draft, she was able to get alongside the casualty while it was still on the rocks improving the efficiency of the entire operation. After 3 days the casualty was lifted, patched, pumped and on her way back to South Florida for haul out and repairs.
The entire operation brought to light the unique capabilities that the TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale crew has developed by working seamlessly in the towing, salvage, charter and launch industries. "We are ready to get underway with very little notice and must have the instinctive ability to solve problems with limited resources while working on difficult salvages like this one." states Tom Guarino who is the Captain of the Richard L. Becker. "The lessons that we have learned on these salvage jobs have come in handy when dealing with tricky situations on charters and large launch operations, the crew has really come together as a result."
Contact TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale to learn more about the Richard L. Becker, TowBoatU.S. #5 or one of their 10 other vessels available for long or short term charter. TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale has been serving the maritime community throughout the Southeastern United States and the Bahamas for over 20 years.
