28 November 2024
Ever Forward refloated again after grounding
The Ever Forward container ship refloated on Sunday morning after remaining stuck in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland for over a month.
Refloated at Last
Specifically, at 7:12 on Sunday morning, the Ever Forward refloated after having run aground in the bay 35 days ago. Considering that, the salvage operation began on March 13.
Note that, the salvor was working closely with the US Coast Guard, competent authorities of the State of Maryland, and local service providers to remedy the ship’s grounded status in the Chesapeake Bay
Hence, the high tide, along with a month’s worth of work finally brought success to the effort. Particularly, the refloatation succeeded following dredging around the ship and push-and-pull tugboat operations while also removing 505 containers from aboard.
According to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard 5th District, dredging commenced to a depth of 43 feet. Resulting in 206,280 cubic yards of material, extracted and utilized to offset erosion at the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration project.
For safety and balance purposes, the team removed containers from both the port and starboard sides of the ship. Then placed on receiving barges during daylight hours only.
Moreover, William Doyle, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, thanked the “many good people and companies” involved in the salvage work, as seen in the post below. “A tremendous team effort with a little help from the Easter Sunday rising tide in the Chesapeake Bay.”
Returning to Operation
Following underwater inspections at nearby anchorage, Ever Forward will return to the Port of Baltimore and reload the cargo that the salvor had discharged earlier this month and then continue on its previously scheduled voyage, which begins with Norfolk, VA.
EverGreen Line
According to the company, throughout the refloating efforts, Ever Forward had been regularly found to be free of damage from the incident and no indication of fuel leakage or pollution.