Hillside, New Jersey, USA
July 7, 1997

The GL-42, a 3,000 cubic yard dump scow owned by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co., Inc., was successfully refloated last week from 25 feet of water just outside the entrance to New York Harbor, in the vicinity of the Verrazano Bridge. Donjon Marine Co., Inc. was awarded the contract by Great Lakes to raise the sunken "split hull" dump scow, which lay on its starboard side and was partially exposed, and then tow it to Donjon's ship scrapping facility on Staten Island, New York.

Under the watchful eye of the vessel's owners and the U. S. Coast Guard, Donjon utilized their 1,000 ton capacity derrick CHESAPEAKE 1000, along with their 200 ton salvage platforms, the crane barge FARRELL 256, to assist in the process of bringing the damaged scow into an "upside down" position. Air was then induced into the void spaces to assist in the lifting of the vessel from the bottom and towed into shallower water where additional preparations could be made for the final "blowout" and subsequent tow. Once safely afloat, Donjon's tugboat, the PAUL ANDREW, towed the vessel to their scrap recycling yard on the west side of Staten Island, New York where it will be broken and recycled.

As an added contingency, Donjon provided substantial pollution response assets to assist in the recovery of any spilled oil from the massive hydraulic rams and onboard engine that may have resulted from the wreck removal process. To ensure that potential spills were eliminated, the rams, which were utilized to open and close the scow's hull, and the engine were secured so as not to allow and accidental discharge of oil into the environment.

"Our successful award and subsequent performance of this work is proof that we are dedicated marine salvors that have the ability to provide our customers, both from the private and public sector, with positive results on a cost effective basis time and time again," said John A. Witte., Jr., one of Donjon's Executive Vice-Presidents.

Donjon, a multifaceted maritime company, is currently involved in other related projects which include the towing of a submarine for the U. S. Navy from Providence, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida, assisting in the rebuilding of an offshore lighthouse at the approach of New York Harbor, providing heavy-lift services in Norfolk, Virginia, and the construction of a new 450 ton all-ocean crane barge.