Bisso Salvages Superior Challenger

Bisso Marine Company, Inc., has successfully completed the salvage of the Superior Challenger. The 200-ft. Class Lift Boat sank in Eugene Island Block 193 after Hurricane Bill passed thru the Gulf Of Mexico on June 29. The vessel’s dimensions are 117 ft. in length by 68 ft. in width with a hull depth of 13 ft. Salvage crews arrived at the site to find the starboard stern planted firmly on hard bottom in 92 feet of water. The port bow corner was extended 20 ft. above the water with a 100-ton crane exposed above the water surface. Sea conditions of four to six ground swells were causing the vessel to oscillate. The 140 ft. port bow leg and pad were attached and extending out below the hull. The leg had to be cut to allow the pad to drop to the natural bottom to reduce the oscillating of the hull. Bisso completed both an underwater electronic survey and dive survey to facilitate a salvage plan designed so the jacking towers would realize a minimum amount of stress during the lifting process. Once rigging was completed the 600 ton Derrick Barge Lili Bisso and Derrick Barge Big Chief were brought into position and hooked to the specially configured rigging. The Superior Challenger was delivered to the owners upright and afloat in the Port of New Iberia.