SUPSALV Removes Sunken Barge from Fort Pierce Channel

The Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) removed a barge that sank in the Fort Pierce ship channel, 100 yards inside the end of the ocean jetties, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced April 23.

Removing debris from the waterways improves safety for all marine traffic.

Lt. Cmdr. Dan Neverosky, SUPSALV assistant for salvage, said:

The channel is heavily trafficked and the uncertain tide conditions where the ocean meets the inlet provided unique conditions for the operation. Working with the U.S. Coast Guard we were able to finalize a four point mooring plan, set a safety zone and move equipment for the five day operation.

The Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, a NAVSEA directorate, responded to a request for assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part of an inter-service support agreement to provide salvage support when the USACE is unable to conduct the task. Once on scene, SUPSALV and its contractor (Donjon Marine, Inc.) developed a plan to clear the channel and recover the barge and debris, using Donjon’s floating crane, Columbia and the tug Mary Alice.

SUPSALV is responsible for all aspects of U.S. Navy ocean engineering, including salvage, in-water ship repair, contracting, towing, diving safety, and equipment maintenance and procurement.

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Image: US Navy