TITAN Salvage has been retained to handle salvage of the Monongahela, a decommissioned tanker ship that broke loose from its moorings on the night of Nov. 12.
The tanker ship, which is part of the James River Reserve Fleet (JRRF), was affected by a severe storm and unusually high water surges in the James River and nearby vicinity when it was wind driven aground on soft soil, approximately one-half mile downstream of the JRRF near the western bank of the river.
TITAN has completed hydrographic surveys for use in the finite salvage calculations required for a salvage plan. The salvage team is now preparing to execute a test pull using one TITAN hydraulic puller to verify holding power of the anchors being used and help in determining refloating calculations relative to onsite conditions.
TITAN has completed the first phase of mobilization for the "test pull" with mobilization and installation of additional scheduled to be completed next week for a planned refloat of the vessel in mid-January. TITAN Salvage will work alongside the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S. Coast Guard and other state and local authorities, to ensure a safe recovery operation.
(www.titansalvage.com)