Kemp Skudin News

Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), in a U.S. Coast Guard directed initiative, provided a key operational and technical role in removing 60,546 gallons of petroleum products from the sunken ex-USS Chehalis (AOG-48) , concluding, April 6. Ex-USS Chehalis sank in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, Oct. 7, 1949, as a result of a gasoline tank fire and multiple explosions on the ship. The fire caused the ship to sink and subsequently capsize in more than 160 feet of water. The Coast Guard requested SUPSALV expertise to support American Samoa's request for assistance by conducting a ship diving survey, detailed planning for, and the safe removal of the petroleum products from ex-USS Chehalis that represented a potential threat to Pago Pago Harbor.