United States Coast Guard (USCG) personnel and salvage and cleanup crews have completed the salvage of the towing vessel 'Kimberly Selvick' on the shores of Lake Michigan, USA.
The 'Kimberly Selvick' became partially submerged after it took on water trying to retrieve two barges that broke free during a tow.
The salvage company removed petroleum products from the vessel in a process known as lightering. Crews lightered the 'Kimberly Selvick's' forward fuel tank, which contained over 36,000 litres of fuel.
Salvage crews then pumped the aft fuel tank dry, removing 14,700 litres of fuel from the submerged vessel.
The vessel was then floated and secured to a crane barge on scene. The barge was shifted out to deeper water, and divers entered the water to complete the hull assessment. The assessment revealed that the keel was split in two locations in the engine room area.
Salvage crews shingled the keel of the vessel and pumped the engine room free of water. They transited the barge and vessel through the Calumet River and moored at the Calumet River Slip, where it will remain until it can enter the drydock for repairs.
The vessel will be monitored at all times until it is removed from the water, concluded the USCG.
