Good Equipment!
Rigorous Maintenance!
TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale has spent over 20 years learning the importance of buying good equipment and maintaining it properly. President Larry Acheson explains "The salvage services that we provide are only as good as our people and our equipment. All of the knowledge and experience in the world is worthless if we can't get our gas powered pump to start while a boat is actively taking on water and on the verge of sinking. Many years ago, we made the commitment to hire our own vessel and equipment maintenance team. These three guys do an incredible job of ensuring that each boat and each piece of equipment is ready to respond to the next case. They are as big a factor in the overall success of the job as the salvage divers, ground crew and towboat captains."
This utility trailer contains over 1000' of containment boom. It is kept covered to fight the affects of sun damage. The trailer is maintained to ensure it is always ready to get underway to the site of a spill or salvage.
A few of the 4" diesel dewatering pumps in the company's inventory. These pumps are maintained and run on a set schedule to ensure they will be fully functional when the need to pump very high volumes of water arises (note the tags showing when each pump was last checked and ran).
The company owns and operates several 2" and 3" dewatering pumps. The same maintenance standards apply to these units as with our diesel pumps.
A high volume tankless air compressor was custom built by the company's maintenance staff. The unit has a built in manifold that allows the salvage master to pump air into many separate air bags at the same time with individual air volume valves for each.
The company owns and maintains dozens of lift bags ranging in size from 1000 to 6000 pounds of lift. Each of the fill valves, dump valves, straps and D rings are inspected and serviced as necessary after every salvage operation.
Dozens of scuba bottles are maintained to industry standards. Visual and hydro inspection intervals are rigidly adhered to.
Come alongs, chain falls and other hand tools are repaired as necessary, and subsequently lubed and stored after each salvage operation.
The company owns two 40KW generators each with their own extra large fuel tank that serve several purposes. In the event of a natural disaster, these units will power the entire office and warehouse space to ensure we can operate seamlessly during a power outage. They are also used on large salvage and charter operations to power company or customer supplied equipment. These units are maintained and run on a set schedule to ensure they will be fully functional when the need arises.
The company owns miles of line suited for many different applications. Everything from high tech plasma line to poly propylene is stored at various locations within the company. Each line and Bridle is inspected after each use to ensure it is intact and ready for the next challenge that comes along.
Finally, The Company owns, operates and maintains a fleet of 11 boats. Gas outboards, diesel inboards, running gear, steering systems, electronics and equipment are all maintained to the highest standards. Rest assured that our company has the people, equipment and experience to get the most challenging salvage operations done in a safe and effective manner.
