Do you remember when the Ever Forward Vessel was stuck at the Chesapeake Bay a few miles from Baltimore? We do! In fact, John S. Connor helped to get her unstuck!

On March 13th the vessel became stuck on her way to her next destination. Donjon-SMIT is the OPA 90 Salvage and Marine Firefighting provider in the vessel response plan, and was activated to free the vessel. After conducting an assessment, a multi-phased plan was developed that included dredging around the vessel and installation of high capacity pulling capability. Removal of the shipping containers was a last resort effort to lighten the load. The removal of the containers came with a number of challenges. Donjon-SMIT contacted John S. Connor to help with these challenges.

JSC focused on two areas; “Removing containers from a foreign flag vessel while it is in the middle of the bay is not provided for, or normally allowed under customs regulations.” Our compliance team reviewed the situation and determined it would require obtaining special permission from CBP to approve the plan. We assisted in creating a plan to barge the containers (some empties, most foreign loaded and manifested for other U.S. ports) to a suitable location.

On the marine operations side we assisted by coordinating 21 barge moves over a 7 day period from the vessel to Seagirt Marine Terminal. We ordered the labor and attempted to time the barge moves and labor orders to maximize production as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible. We were part of meetings with State and Federal officials, as well as the salvage company and the vessel owner reps to assist in executing the plan.

On Easter Sunday, with a rising tide and full moon, the lightened vessel was finally freed! We are so grateful to be a part of this huge undertaking and are more than delighted to show off our vast capabilities as a global logistics company! Thanks to Donjon-SMIT for choosing JSC!