Efforts to dislodge freighter resume
After running into mechanical problems Sunday that required revisions to a salvage plan for a bulk freighter grounded outside the entrance to Port Everglades, work to refloat the vessel was set to resume Monday morning, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Dana Warr said that barring any unforeseen developments, the efforts to refloat the 645-foot freighter Clipper Lasco would probably take about 24 hours. The vessel is not blocking other traffic and there has not been any spills or leaks related to the grounding, which occurred last Thursday.
The salvage plan calls for removing 2,000 tons of bauxite from the freighter, which was headed into Port Everglades with 30,000 tons of bauxite imported from France. A tug and barge already at sea arrived at Port Everglade early Saturday to load the proper equipment required to transfer the cargo at sea. Work started Sunday morning but was stopped when the salvage crew ran into mechanical problems, Warr said. That required a revision in the salvage plan that had to be reviewed and approved by the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard marine inspectors and pollution investigators from Coast Guard Sector Miami and the Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team, from Mobile, Ala., will remain on the vessel to monitor salvage activities.
Efforts to dislodge freighter resume
