VINIK NO.6

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Vinik 6 will lead tow of SS United States

On Feb 15, the SS 'United States' has started her final journey, leaving her long-time dock in Philadelphia.After nearly three decades at Pier 82, the ship was moved in preparation for a 14-day tow to Mobile, Alabama, where she will undergo environmental remediation before being sunk as an artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Tugs carried out the complex manoeuvre, timing the movement with the midday high tide on the Delaware River.The ship’s stern was first pulled across the slipway, followed by the bow, before she was resecured at Pier 80 on the north side of the slipway. The tow, which is planned for Feb 19 now, will take her past several key bridges, including the Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. 322), the Delaware Memorial Bridge (I- 295) and the Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76). The bridge closures will be coordinated as she passes, The tow will be led by the 'Vinik No.6'. The ship will begin moving south down the Delaware River at low tide at 12:51 p.m. Tugs will begin to position her off of pier 80 two to three hours before low tide, Okaloosa County, the ship’s new owner, has stated that real-time route adjustments will be made every six hours, taking into account weather conditions and currents. Once the ship arrives in Mobile, she will be docked at the Modern American Repair & Recycling Services facility. The remediation process will involve removing hazardous materials, including loose paint, PCBs, and fuel from her tanks. Additionally, all windows and portholes will be removed. Her funnels and radar mast will be carefully dismantled and handed over to the SS United States Conservancy, which plans to incorporate them into a future museum and visitor centre in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The entire preparation process is expected to take one year before the vessel is finally sunk to create the world’s largest man-made reef. As a farewell to the city, volunteers boarded the SS United States on Feb 14 to set up special lighting. At nightfall, her bridge was illuminated in green, paying tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles, who recently won the Super Bowl. The city was also hosting a championship celebration for the team Loyal fans gathered at the pier to witness the ship’s movement. The 'United States' set a speed record for transatlantic crossings in 1952, averaging 36 knots. She remained in passenger service for over a decade and later operated on occasional pleasure cruises before being retired in 1969. Since then, the ship has changed ownership multiple times. Between 1980 and 2024, various attempts were made to restore her for commercial use or transform her into a tourist attraction. However, these efforts were unsuccessful. The SS United States Conservancy owned the ship from 2011 until October 2024 but was forced to relinquish control due to a legal dispute with the pier’s operators. A court ruling ordered the ship’s removal, leaving the non-profit unable to relocate her. She was sold to Okaloosa County for $1 million as part of a $10 million plan to repurpose her as an artificial reef. Once deployed off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, the ship will become a vital marine habitat, attracting fish, coral, and other marine life. The site is expected to be an attraction for divers and anglers from around the world.The county is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies to ensure all environmental and safety regulations are met. Report with photo: https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-ss-united-states-completes-first-move-as-final-journey-begins

Tug assisted in enhancing artificial reef

Two years after beginning efforts to replenish the Little Egg Reef off Beach Haven, the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association saw their efforts pay off on Jan 14. Captain John Lewis, Association president, oversaw three vessels sunk on the reef including a 140-foot barge, a tugboat, and a push boat. The boats were brought from Norfolk, Virginia, with the 'Vinik 6' after they had been cleaned and prepared to be sunk on the Little Egg Reef. New Jersey’s artificial reefs were originally constructed decades ago as habitat for various species of fish and a place for anglers to fish. Marine life grows on the materials attracting a wide variety of fish looking for food and habitat. Over time the materials placed on the reefs sink in the sand and do not provide the needed structure. As a result, new materials are needed to supplement those original materials. The artificial reefs closest to Long Beach Island have not been enhanced since 2005. Teenagers in the Association’s Junior Mates Program learned of the reef situation and asked what they could do to improve the situation. This humble beginning sparked a grass roots campaign which snowballed into an intensive campaign by the BHCFA. These efforts attracted the attention of concerned individuals and groups on the local and even national levels. The group’s original goal to raise $100,000 to begin reef replenishment was reached thanks to the efforts of the mates, local community involvement, and matching funds from the Ann E. Clark Foundation and the Sport Fishing Fund. Enhancement to the reefs was first expected a year ago, but unexpected delays including the Corona virus and bureaucratic red tape slowed down the time frame. The entire project was done under the watchful eyes of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection which assisted in moving the project along. Report with photo: https://www.tapinto.net/sections/sports/articles/locals-rejoice-after-little-egg-artificial-reef-replenishment-becomes-reality

Tug towed towboat to scuttling site

On June 9, 2020, the 'Vinik No. 6' towed the 'Vinik Huntress' to the Sandy Hook Reef where it was scuttled in memory of Hudson River Fishermen’s Association member Darren Cardinal. The Sportfishing Fund sponsored the project. The day before a 150 ft dam gate was added to New Jersey’s artificial reefs on the Deepwater reef. Artificial reef deployments become home to more than 150 marine organisms including black sea bass, tautog, summer flounder, lobsters, crabs and mussels, according to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. New Jersey has a network of 15 artificial reefs in the ocean along the state’s coast. Report with videos: https://www.nj.com/news/2020/06/watch-crews-sink-tugboat-huge-gate-for-artificial-reefs-off-nj-coast.html