TUG INVADER

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Tug righted and refloated

On Mar 26 the "Invader" was successfully refloated after ut had been submerged in a sunken drydock in Everett since Mar 18, 2012. The day-long effort to right the tug by Global Diving & Salvage on behalf of Vigor Marine was supervised by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington Dept. of Ecology. The estimated 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel, remaining sealed onboard the tug, were expected to be removed in the run of the week. The relocated tug and submerged drydock were still surrounded by multiple layers of containment boom. Minor residual sheens have been spotted and recovered by salvage workers. The Coast Guard and Ecology maintained oversight throughout Vigor's eight-day response following a salvage plan designed to minimize impact on the environment.

Debris removed by Global Diving and Salvage

The Coast Guard and Washington Dept. of Ecology were maintaining oversight of the response by Vigor Marine to the submerged dry dock and the partially submerged "Invader"at the company’s shipyard in Everett on Mar 21. Divers from Global Diving and Salvage, contracted by Vigor, were removing debris, which was limited to the controlled waters immediately surrounding the vessel. Teams were working around the clock to further assess the condition of the dry dock and tug. It has been determined that the dry dock partially sank and subsequently the tug capsized. The dry dock and tug have since been stabilized and are surrounded by multiple layers of oil spill containment boom. Salvage planning and preparations continue.

Dock with tug completely lowered to the bottom

The Coast Guard and Washington Dept. of Ecology were overseeing the response to the partially submerged dry dock and the "Invader" at the Vigor Marine Shipyard in Everett, on Mar 19. Crews worked to stabilize the dry dock and have set the dock level so that it rests on the bottom at its mooring. After one side of the dry dock sank, workers lowered the other side too. The tug, which had been on the dock for maintenance work, was afloat, listing 90 degrees on its starboard side. Crews sealed the tanks to prevent a release of the oil into the water. Workers have surrounded the area with three rows of oil spill containment boom in case of a leak or spill. There were no plans to right the tug on Mar 20. Salvage experts hired by Vigor were developing a plan to do so, subject to Coast Guard and Ecology review and approval. Crews remained in place to ensure that the tug remained stable.