TowBoatUS San Diego Removes Several Pangas from Area Beaches
30′ Pangas full of illegal aliens and even drugs are hitting the beaches of Southern California. From as far north as Laguna Beach. Smugglers intentionally run these boats onto the beach with no regard for life or the environment. The Panga off Laguna Beach had 2- 250hp Yamaha Outboards that broke off the boat and came to rest hidden in the surf. Vessel Assist San Diego salvage divers had to dive the surf line to find these motors as they became instant hazards to humans as well as the environment. Over 300 gallons of gasoline was recovered in 15 gallon cans. Continue reading →
Cove Marina. Upon arrival to the incident, Captains Eric Lamb and Travis Basom set up Haz-Mat containment to prevent oil, fuel and debris from escaping into the bay while the salvage diver, Captain Shane Thompson, performed a quick survey of the sunken vessel then attached two 4000 lb float bags in strategic positions to maximize lift. As air was applied to the bags and the boat raised above the water a couple of 2 inch pumps de-watered the Owens at a combined rate of 18,000 gallons per hour, quickly pumping the water from the vessel. Before de-mobilizing from the salvage operation a preliminary survey suggest that a leaky shaft packing and dead batteries were the cause of the sinking.