Salvage of the "Forrest Glen"

In January of 2003, along side a wharf in Digby Nova Scotia, Dominion Diving Ltd commenced salvage operations on the 140-foot fishing vessel “Forrest Glen.” Dominion Diving was first called to the scene in December of 2002 to assist pollution control officers from the dept of Fisheries and Oceans. After securing oil boom around the vessel, oil-pumping operations commenced utilizing divers. The divers were able to recover 1600 gallons of diesel. One big challenge on this part of the job was keeping the oil boom intact in the 30-foot tidal range and associated current.Through a biding process, Dominion Diving was able to beat out the competition not only in pricing, but also in designing the best methodology to raise the vessel and minimize any undue stress to the giant piles supporting the wharf structure.

The Salvage Operation
Divers placed large diameter steel wire cables underneath the vessel at various locations. The divers also had to drag 6’ pump suctions into the fish hold and engine room in near zero visibility in preparation for the lift.

A 200-ton floating crane was brought in to conduct the lift. The weather was fair and the project was on schedule. The crane arrived on site and after a safety meeting the lifting operation commenced. After the vessel was lifted, several holes, some as large as 14” in diameter were sealed. Only after Dominion Diving’s salvage master had determined the Forrest Glen was seaworthy and able to float unaided was the crane and rigging removed.

Over the next few days, the remainder of the pollutants were removed. The vessel was towed to a pre-determined location and beached. The demolishing of the vessel and removal of contaminated debris was carried out using method developed by Dominion Diving and took place under the watchful eye of the Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

To view or save PDF about the Forrest Glen salvage, click here.