Donjon Marine's 1,000 ton lift capacity sheer leg derrick barge, Chesapeake 1000, and the 1200hp tug Paul Andrew have been highly active in recent months in the New York/Long Island area. Items recovered include the open hopper barge Maryland (pictured below) which broke its back with a full load of salt in New York Harbor, a scow sunk near the Verrazano Bridge and a dredger ladder/cutter head assembly lost off Westhampton Beach.

Both of the latter two operations were contracts awarded by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. GL-42, a 3,000 yd³ scow was laying on its side in 25 feet of water with a hull partially exposed. Assisted by crane barge Farrell 256, Chesapeake 1000 turned the casualty into the upside down position in order that air could be forced into the void spaces. Once lifted, the scow was towed into shallower water where the final preparations were made for its last journey to be broken up at Donjon's scrap recycling yard on the west side of Staten Island.

Heavy weather had caused wires on the dump 220 ft. dredge Alaska to part whilst working and a on a beach replenishment project for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE). The 400 ton ladder stuck down into the ocean floor with the cutter head over 50 ft. below the surface. From Donjon's New Jersey base Chesapeake 1000 and Paul Andrew were quickly mobilised although salvage and dive barge teams were first to arrive on the scene and immediately began preparations to recover the 110 ft. ladder.

Unfavourable weather delayed proceedings for three days but salvage pumps were stationed on Chesapeake 1000 of sufficient capacity to remove the dredge's 117,000 gallons of fuel oil in two hours in case it became necessary. However, the damaged ladder was eventually lifted from the ocean floor and secured by the crew of Alaska to its A-frame.

International Tug & Salvage
November 1997