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On April 11th of 1983 the 100 foot ocean going tug, Morton S. Bouchard, Jr. owned by Bouchard Transportation of Hicksville, NY, sank near the west end of the Cape Cod Canal.  This maritime accident closed one of the busiest water ways in the world for almost a week. 

Some reports state the tug was towing a 300-foot oil barge with a 244-foot wire, instead of the shortest possible safe length, when it overtook and capsized the tug near the Bourne Bridge.  Another contributing factor to the rapid sinking was that the watertight doors to the tug's engine room and galley were unaccountably left open, allowing the tug to flood rapidly.

The tug was salvaged by DonJon Marine Company, Inc of Hillsdale, NJ who  spent four days diving on the sunken vessel at each slack water period to render four slings beneath it.  Then using an A-frame derrick barge with three working falls, the "Century" first rotated the tug upright and then lifted it's decks to the surface.  The salvage was made more difficult due to a 6-knot current in the canal, which forced the crew to prepare all wires and dive gear meticulously so that prime advantage could be taken of the slack tide window. The tug was salvaged in four days and still remains in service today.
    Raising The Morton S. Bouchard, Jr.
GALLERY:
Photos of the Morton S. Bouchard,Jr.

INFORMATION:

Particulars of the Morton S. Bouchard, Jr.

Marine Accident Brief No. DCA83AM051
National Transportation Safety Board
Provided by: Hoffmann Services
                      The A-Frame Derrick Barge Century  
Salvage Report provided by:                               
Steven G. Newes, V.P. DonJon Marine Co.

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