FRED
DEVINE DIVING AND SALVAGE COMPANY
6211 NORTH ENSIGN · PORTLAND, OR 97217
Telephone: (503) 283-5285 · Email: devinesalv@msn.com
FRED DEVINE DIVING & SALVAGE COMPANY CURRENT NEWS
Oil Barge-Millicoma
March 20, 2005 Fred Devine Diving & Salvage Co. was contracted by Sause Bros. Ocean Towing to salvage the oil barge " Millicoma" from a rocky cove below North Head Lighthouse north of the mouth of the Columbia River. The 350-foot barge broke loose from a tugboat towline in bad weather on the Columbia River bar.
Mick
Leitz, President and Salvage Master of Fred Devine Diving &
Salvage Co. conducted the salvage effort with personnel from
Fred Devine Diving & Salvage Co. Diving Division, their salvage vessel
the "Salvage
Chief", Foss Maritime tugs "American" and "Betsy
L" and the Sause tug "Navaho".
On
scene to assist with potential environmental pollution, if
necessary, were the
National Response Corporation and the Marine Spill Response
Corporation. Helicopter support was provided by Hillsboro Helicopter,
Arctic Air Service and
Columbia
Helicopter.
When weather and the tides permitted Fred Devine Diving & Salvage Co. & Sause Bros. Ocean Towing personnel were put aboard to prepare the vessel for refloating. Eleven of the fifteen fuel tanks were extensively damaged. Four of the six rake tanks were also damaged.
Mr. Leitz called in the Fred Devine Diving & Salvage Company's 202 foot salvage
vessel the
"M/V Salvage Chief”
to winch the “ Millicoma" from the rocky cove.
To stabilize the barge 10" tow lines were flown by Columbia Helicopters Boeing Vertol between
the "M/V Salvage Chief" and the barge
"Millicoma" . Buoyancy was restored to the barge by using large air blowers to pump air
into the damaged cargo tanks. The
"M/V Salvage Chief" successfully winched the barge "Millicoma" from the
rocky cove.
Pictures provided by :USCG, Foss Maritime, LeAnn Bailey & Mark & Susan Gawecki
