Inland Salvage Inc. (ISI) is one of the most reliable salvage companies in its region.

Headquartered in Harvey, La., the company was established in 2009 to meet the demand for highly qualified salvage providers on inland waterways and near-coastal waters around the Gulf of Mexico. “Specifically, our coverage area includes the lower Mississippi inland waterways and the near Gulf coast and intercoastal waterways,” says David Grecho, ISI’s chief operating officer and director of operations.

For maritime industry customers, ISI offers complete salvage, demolition and wreck removal services. “We mainly focus on salvage and heavy lift for barge lines and fishing fleets,” says Grecho.

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Inland Salvage Inc. (www.inlandsalvage.com) recently conducted offshore salvage operations 40 nautical miles southwest of the Eugene Island, LA, successfully raising an Anchor Barge that sank in approximately 100 feet of water. They were called upon by the vessel’s owner to develop and execute a safe and expedient salvage plan to recover the anchor barge which went down during high seas in the Gulf of Mexico.

ISI’s Salvage Management Team quickly developed a salvage plan, taking into consideration the casualty’s location and giving special attention to weather forecasts calling for offshore conditions to deteriorate within the next 96 hours. Plans were submitted, reviewed and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

On the evening of Tuesday, April 10th, ISI mobilized salvage assets, dive support equipment and ISI’s crew of highly experienced Salvage and Dive personnel from Amelia, LA. Due to the limited weather window of opportunity to allow safe dive and salvage operations, it was imperative that ISI assets and crew be on scene the following morning.

Once on site, ISI deployed a 4-point anchor spread in order to keep its Heavy Lift A-Frame in position over the casualty. ISI divers conducted an initial dive survey and reported their findings to the Salvage Master. The anchor barge was found to be intact on the seabed, resting on its starboard side. Using the information provided by the dive survey, ISI’s Salvage Master modified the salvage plan accordingly and divers were quickly down again installing pre-determined rigging, enabling ISI to raise the wreck to surface with using their heavy lift A-Frame.

Upon surveying damage to the barge, ISI’s Salvage Master concluded the wreck would need substantial patchwork be deemed seaworthy. It was then determined that the casualty would need to be carried under hook to safe haven due to deteriorating weather conditions. ISI crew members secured the wreck under hook and immediately went under tow, seeking safe haven in Bayou Chene, LA. Once in Bayou Chene, the barge was re-rigged. ISI then mobilized to a receiving yard in Amelia, LA, where the anchor barge was lifted onto pre-arranged dunnage to allow full access during the inspection process.

Daily safety and job task meetings were conducted to insure that all participants in the salvage and response efforts were aware of, and prepared for, each step of the operation. The resources of all personnel were directed towards one common goal – a well-planned and safely executed operation.

Eli Zatezalo, President and CEO of Inland Salvage, stated, “When you look at all of elements surrounding this salvage operation, I am extremely satisfied with the successful outcome. The second week of April is not exactly the ideal time of year to conduct salvage operations 40 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico as weather conditions can deteriorate quickly. It was imperative that our salvage plan be successfully executed while simultaneously ensuring the safety and welfare of our crewmembers. We accomplished both.”

The salvage officers met with the Command Staff at the USCG Marine Safety Unit / Morgan City in order to coordinate and clear procedures for ISI wreck removal operations. Work commenced January 17th with the arrival of ISI’s salvage fleet of 2 Heavy Lift A-Frames, Crane Barge, Tug Boats, Receiver Barges and Crew support vessels.

Wreck Removal operations are currently underway and on schedule per ISI’s Wreck Removal Plan approved by the USCG. Divers were separating the superstructure from the barge hull by burning all supporting beams and trunks at the deck level in Zero visibility conditions. ISI’s plan calls for the separation of the superstructure, floatation and par-buckling of the main barge, chain cutting the superstructure into four separate pieces with final retrieval via Heavy Lift operations.

In accordance with ISI’s high standard for safety, Daily Safety and Job Task meetings are conducted to ensure all ISI salvage personnel as well as the USCG are aware and prepared for each day’s operations. The resources of all ISI team members are focused towards one common goal – a well-planned and safely executed wreck removal operation.

Immediately upon being notified by the vessel’s assured and underwriters that Inland Salvage Inc. had been appointed as the salvor, ISI responded to the capsized M/V “Elwood Jones” by quickly mobilizing equipment and personnel, including the 500t D/B “Big Al” and 400t D/B “LMB” to the casualty site.  ISI personnel and equipment arrived at the casualty site within 2 hours.

The refloating of the vessel consisted of three (3) evolutions:

1. The rotation (parbuckling) of the vessel into the vertical condition.
2. The dewatering /mud wash down of the vessel at the surface to restore buoyancy and stability.
3. The vessel was returned to the Owners safely afloat without incident 48hrs after arrival on site.

Daily safety and job task meetings were conducted to insure that all participants in the salvage and pollution response were aware and prepared for the daily activities. The resources of all personnel were directed towards one common goal – a well-planned and safely executed operation.

Having been on the river bottom this long, the barge was partially buried in river sediment. The salvage crew began the task of digging the wreck clear. Methods involving clam buckets proved unsuccessful as the river current would cause the equipment to become fouled and uncontrollable. An 80 ft. compressed air-lift suction system was quickly assembled and proved to be capable of moving the mud, sand, and remaining cargo in the high current. Once the barge was exposed, the dive team began to survey the condition of the barge. Divers were challenged by the river conditions, but, without incident, they were able to empty the mud filled tanks and rig the wreck to the Inland Salvage heavy lift barges Big Aland Large Marge.

The wreck was raised and, while still held in the cranes, moved toward the bank and into shallow water. Hull surveys found limited damage and the Salvage Master determined the barge could be repaired to float on its own again. Welders worked to patch the damaged tanks and soon the barge was floating again without the need for pumps to maintain buoyancy. The barge was then towed to dry dock for repairs.

Inland Salvage Inc.’s CEO, Mr. Eli Zatezalo stated; “It is a great honor to be voted in as a General Member of such an elite organization as the American Salvage Association.  We have invested heavily in our salvage assets, dive assets, support equipment and I believe we have some of the most experienced salvage divers and salvage masters in the industry.  Our membership will provide Inland Salvage Inc. a platform to expand our capabilities and we look forward to working with other members of the ASA in the near future.”

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http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inland-salvage-inc-becomes-a-general-member-of-the-american-salvage-association-131885693.html

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http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inland-salvage-inc-completes-salvage-of-iron-ore-barge-sunk-on-mississippi-river-during-a-collision-131526203.html