TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale
Tows Another Victim of the Devils Backbone
The devils backbone is a treacherous maze of reefs, coral heads, and shoals that surrounds the entrance to Harbour Island near Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Skippers running boats of all sizes have tangled with and lost to this stretch of water for hundreds of years. It is common practice for a large percentage of the boaters visiting this area to hire a local pilot to reduce the stress and potential peril that exists when transiting these shallows.
Recently, TowBoatU.S. Ft Lauderdale assisted with the salvage and tow of a 60' Theriault motor yacht that ran aground there. The vessel suffered extensive hull damage to both of her sponsons and required several days to thoroughly patch her for the return trip to Ft Lauderdale. TowBoatU.S. Ft Lauderdale dispatched their 96' tow boat M/V Richard L. Becker to handle the rigors of this long distance tow. The company regularly undertakes long distance towing operations involving salvaged vessels from very distant ports.
"We work hard to think of all of the what-ifs" stated Director of Operations Kevin Collins "we have refined our policies and procedures over the last 20 years to help insure that our crew holds safety and damage prevention as their two highest priorities. We have a checklist for every job to insure that the casualty is watertight, pumps are staged and operational, crew is briefed on standard and contingency plans, hulls, decks, accessories and interior spaces are protected from damage as well as machinery and running gear being properly prepared for the rigors of a long distance tow." TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale also provides crew to ride on board the casualty, particularly when there are multiple patches fitted to the boat and crash pumps staged. Collins adds "our customers have come to count on the fact that we leave nothing to chance!"
This 60' Catamaran arrived safely in Ft. Lauderdale where the Richard L. Becker handed over the tow to 2 of the company's 31' twin diesel tugs for the final leg of the tow up the New River. TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale is available for long or short distance tows for boats of all sizes; they have a crew of professionals working around the clock to insure your satisfaction.
