The Coast Guard reports that the Jacqueline A has been successfully salvaged.
The tug sank in about 30 feet of water on August 8 about three miles off South Carolina’s North Myrtle Beach shore. Work to salvage the 59-foot, 98-ton tug was carried out by a crane and barge unit operated by Resolve Marine.
The Coast Guard and several other agencies initially responded to the incident and, by the time assistance arrived, the tug was already down by the stern with its three crewmembers in lifejackets on the bow. Three swimming rescues safely retrieved the crew who were taken aboard a Horry County (S.C.) Fire Rescue response boat and taken ashore.
According to USCG Sector Charleston the tug was lifted, pumped out and towed to an unnamed shipyard for further inspection, adding that it was inspected by the Coast Guard and a marine surveyor prior to the towing to ensure that it was safe to move.
During the salvage operation, the Coast Guard enforced a half-mile safety zone to protect salvage crews with no unauthorized vessels permitted in the area. The area where Jacqueline A sank was marked with buoys and a light was installed on the mast to alert maritime traffic. All vents on the vessel were sealed and reinforced to minimize pollution risks until recovery while the Resolve Marine crane barge was enroute.
Moran Environmental Recovery LLC was contracted to monitor the tug and “act in the event of any significant discharges from the vessel.”
The one-half-mile safety zone is no longer in effect and the investigation is ongoing. The vessel reportedly has 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board, prompting concerns regarding potential environmental impacts. There were no reports of shoreline impacts.
Jacqueline A is a 680 hp, twin screw tugboat that was built in 1981 by Mikron Shipyard at its Galliano, La. facility. Launched as the Eric Paul for the St. Pierre Towing Company, the tug was later acquired by the Indian Creek Barge Corp. of Norfolk, Va., and renamed Jacqueline A.
In 2007, the boat was acquired by Sealand Transport Company of Urbanna, Va. and retained its name. Five years later, the tug was acquired by Ward Towing of Deltaville, Va.