International salvage company, Resolve, is helping to repair damage done by the maritime industry through a pioneering coral reef replacement system.
From its U.S. base in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Resolve has developed a technique to effectively grow coral and anchor it to the seabed atop custom‐made underwater structures. Resolve has completed the environmental remediation of the 910 ft long decommissioned Navy aircraft carrier ex‐Oriskany. Resolve was awarded the project by the US Navy and successfully prepared and sank the vessel for reefing purposes off the coast of Pensacola, FL – creating the worldʹs largest artificial reef.
Coral reef damage is a big concern for the shipping industry. Recently, the insurer of a Panama‐flagged tanker which struck a reef in the Caribbean agreed to pay the high cost of replacing the damaged coral. This was one of seven such incidents in the past month.
Resolve’s system involves fragmenting healthy corals, nurturing them in a lab, attaching them to larger eco‐friendly reef structures, and then transplanting them back into their previous environment. These structures provide a raised, porous, yet sturdy substrate to promote rapid growth, environmental complexity, and an animal friendly habitat.
Resolve’s Marine BioTechnicians measure the growing coral regularly to gain an approximation of the growth levels. When initially placed back in their natural environments, the survival rates are good and technicians have reported more than 96% survival rates on recent projects.
Joe Farrell, President, said, “Resolve is also a leader in the arena of marine special projects – we regularly carry out unique and challenging projects that others shy away from. Our resume includes massive environmental remediation projects, heavy lift and project cargo operations. We routinely contract with the U. S. Navy, the U. S. Coast Guard, and the U. S. Maritime Administration on significant marine special projects. We believe this sustainable and green approach to salvage is vital in today’s world.”
(www.resolvemarine.com)