Nathan E. Stewart

Sea Forth Channel, Athlone Island | Canada

The tug, Nathan E. Stewart (NES) and DBL 55 barge, ran aground . on a reef at the entrance to Sea Forth Channel on Athlone Island. The tug was carrying approximately 60,000 gallons of fuel on board, and three of its fuel tanks had been breached. The 287-foot-long barge, DBL 55, was not loaded with any cargo. The articulated tug and barge (ATB) were sailing southbound from Ketchikan, Alaska to Vancouver when the incident occurred.

Resolve Marine was activated by Kirby Corp, the owners of the NES to immediately begin fuel removal operations. Fuel removal equipment was mobilized directly from the MANOLIS L project in Newfoundland, Ca. This equipment included Resolve Marine’s revolutionary hot tap system which helped to expedite the fuel removal operations. Resolve Marine was able to remove 30,000 gallons of fuel and lube oil from the NES in a quick and efficient manner while operating in difficult weather conditions. Once the fuel removal was complete Resolve Marine shifted operations to the wreck removal phase. The Resolve Marine team developed a detailed salvage plan that was approved by the Canadian Authorities before operations were allowed to commence. The 700-ton capacity D.B. General Crane Barge was mobilized to Bella Bella from Seattle, WA along with two of Resolve Marine’s 330-ton capacity chain pullers. The ResolvePioneer, an AHST, was used to support the GENERAL and carry out anchor handling operations. With the D.B. General positioned offshore, the two chain pullers, mounted to the deck of the D.B. General, were used to pull the wreck of the NES into sufficiently deep water for lifting operations. Once in deeper water the wreck was rigged by the dive team with the support of the GENERAL. The wreck was then lifted in one piece by the GENERAL and landed on a receiving barge for removal. The wreck was towed to Vancouver, Ca where Resolve Marine managed the cleaning and disposal operations.