Crowley Successfully Manages Refloat of Stranded MV Cefalonia

(Stockton, Calif.; Feb. 25, 2003) – Crowley’s energy and marine services group has successfully coordinated and managed the refloat of the grounded MV Cefalonia. The tanker ran aground Saturday about 30 miles south of Stockton, Calif., on the San Joaquin River. It has since made its way without incident to Stockton, Calif., under tug assist.

The vessel, which was loaded with liquid fertilizer, ran aground on its way to the port. Shortly thereafter, Crowley was engaged to provide salvage services in order to extract the vessel from her grounded position.

“Crowley has a standing readiness to respond to situations such as this,” said Chris Peterson, general manager, contract services. “Our complete response plan includes not only coordination of salvage efforts but health, safety and environmental response and preparedness as well.”

Four Bay Area tugs were contracted by Crowley to be on scene ranging in size from 2,000 to 6,250 BHP. Additionally, Crowley deployed a team of specialists including a salvage engineer, salvage master, logistics manager and Health, Safety and Environmental representative to work on scene. Crowley’s naval architect, project manager, operations and administrative staff provided support and planning to both the on-site team and the United States Coast Guard.

Crowley’s plan, submitted and approved by the USCG, included provision for spill recovery in the event of a hull breach, however, the structure of the vessel was sound, with no known damage to the hull. A skimmer barge and small utility boat as well as a shore-based recovery trailer and boom deployment boat were on standby in the immediate area as a precaution.

Crowley’s background in salvage and wreck removal projects has been extensive over the years. Some of the recent emergency service projects the company has handled include the repositioning and disposal of the Ehime Maru off Honolulu, Hawaii; the extraction of the ship New Carissa from the beach in Coos Bay, Ore.; the salvage of the Hyundai No. 12 and Kiroshima, both of which ran aground in Alaskan waters; and the extraction of the ex-USS Tortuga from a marine sanctuary near San Miguel Island in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Crowley Marine Services, headquartered in Seattle, is a subsidiary of Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, founded in 1892. The corporation, primarily family- and employee-owned, is mainly engaged in worldwide logistics, liner services, contract towing and transportation, energy support services, ship assist and escort services, vessel management and petroleum and chemical marine transport. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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