NAVSEA Diving, Salvage Experts Lead Navy Assistance to Free Intrepid

The Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage and Diving is leading the Navy’s assistance effort to free the ex-Intrepid. The floating museum became stuck in sediment Nov. 6 during a tow from Pier 86 in New York City to a New Jersey shipyard for refurbishment and repair. The salvage effort will include actions to inspect, dredge, stabilize and free Intrepid and make it ready for tow. While the Intrepid Museum Foundation received title to the ex-Intrepid after a 1981 Navy donation, the foundation called upon the Navy’s experience to assist in moving the ship. After conducting a hydrographic survey around the berth of the ship, the Secretary of the Navy determined that Intrepid was in a precarious situation complicated by the onset of adverse winter conditions and that the Navy had the unique capability to assist the Intrepid Foundation.

“The Intrepid Foundation does a lot to help the military and especially the Navy. As a result, we were happy to take on Secretary Winter's tasking to help the museum foundation during this tough time for them,” said Capt. Rich Hooper, director of Ocean Engineering in NAVSEA’s Supervisor of Salvage & Diving office. “The Navy has salvage expertise and also has specialized knowledge of the actions required to re-float an aircraft carrier like the Intrepid.” With the assistance of New Jersey-based contractor DonJon Marine Company Inc., the Navy is working 24 hours a day to free Intrepid and make it ready for tow by dredging, diving and airlifting sediment. source: NavNews From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communication