TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, a Broward County based company, successfully completed another vessel salvage. This time a Formosa 51’ sailboat was removed from the breaking surf in Pompano Beach. “We heard the initial call for help very late on Wednesday night,” explained Larry Acheson, President and Founder of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale. “We responded to find the vessel in very rough surf.”

The salvage operation lasted 3 days. It started on Thursday October 23. Steps were taken to protect the environment including removing the fuel from the boat and carefully inspecting the area surrounding the site for the presence of turtle eggs. Due to the location of the vessel and the rough seas and heavy surf, TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale used a 165 ton land crane to lift the boat from the beach rather than towing her back to sea risking her breaking up. The masts were carefully removed from the vessel prior to straps being placed around the hull. After the divers rigged the straps, the crane lifted the sailboat from its strand. Onlookers watched as the crane then slowly lowered the sailboat back onto the beach in a hole specially prepared by an excavator to support her upright. As darkness fell TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale provided security through out the night assuring the yacht was secure and that no passerby was injured.

The next morning the sailboat was walked up the beach by lifting and lowering it several times until it reached a beach access road and a waiting trailer. “The effort went very smoothly,” stated Acheson. “The crew performed professionally, the environment was protected and the vessel was recovered without any further damage.”

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale has performed thousands of salvage operations since its inception in 1989. The company operates from three ports and provides towing, salvage, charter, launch and yacht towing and assistance throughout Southeast Florida and the Bahamas.

For more information, contact TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale at (954) 783-7821.

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