70' Sunseeker Saved from Sinking in Her Slip

On the morning of February 17th 2011, TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale received a call from the mate on a 70' Sunseeker located in Highland Beach Florida that was actively taking on water at the dock. The actions of the salvage team in the moments that followed were swift and deliberate. Within minutes, the Salvage Master was underway in the company's 1 ton truck with the new Sunken Vessel recovery unit in tow while other crew members were dispatched by land and sea to respond to the scene. Within 30 minutes there were 6 personnel on scene while 2 boats with salvage divers/captains arrived shortly thereafter. The crew quickly deployed 2 high volume gas pumps and 2 high volume electric pumps after discovering knee high water in the vessels master stateroom. Discharge hoses were carefully routed through several of the vessels portlights and the pumps were energized. Divers armed with damage control plugs and underwater epoxy immediately entered the water and began securing each of the vessel's through hull fittings in an effort to stop the egress of sea water into the vessel. Smaller pumps were used in the final stages of dewatering to insure water from several smaller compartments was pumped overboard.

Once the boat was dewatered, the crew promptly got the vessel in tow with pumps remaining on board along with a salvage diver to insure the yacht was delivered to her final destination without further incident. In the end, it appeared that the failure of one of the vessels underwater thru hull fittings may have been the cause of the flooding. The prompt, professional action taken by the salvage team along with a water tight bulkhead between the vessels living spaces and engine room were substantial factors in minimizing the damage sustained on board. This vessel is currently undergoing repairs and will likely be back in service for the summer cruising season thanks to an alert mate and services provided by TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale.