Posted:
October 10, 2008
Photo: courtesy of Dan Robichaux |
| Southern Scrap is located about one mile from the Crescent Towing fleet, but due to the Industrial Locks being shut down for two months of scheduled maintenance, the Point Clear and the Miriam W. Cooper had to go out Southwest Pass into the Gulf of Mexico and up the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), traveling a distance of more than 250 miles to reach the breakaways. In addition to three decommissioned ships (due to be scrapped), five seagoing barges and more than 70 other barges and vessels had broken away. The channel to reach to the Courier was blocked by several other vessels, which were also adrift or aground. Crescent crews had to clear a path in order to reach and remove the Courier. Working aboard the Point Clear with Robichaux were Mate Jason Bryan and Chief Engineer Tommy Dickerson. Capt. Terry Murley relieved Bryan following several days of work to continue salvage operations, and for the return voyage. |