U.S. salvors prepared for terrorist port attacks with ships

U.S. salvors prepared for terrorist port attacks with ships

   U.S. salvors say they’re prepared to respond to any terrorist-induced shipwrecks in the nation’s seaports.

   Since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, security experts have warned that terrorist may attempt to blow up or sink ships to jam up harbor channels, resulting in a potential devastating blow to the economy. Salvors would be expected to arrive quickly on the scene to manage the clean up.

   “It’s a can-do industry,” said Richard B. Fairbanks, head of the American Salvage Association and president of salvor Titan Maritime, in an interview with American Shipper. “The first major company on the scene would take the lead and call in help as needed. It’s hard to pre-plan.”

   New Jersey-based salvor Weeks Marine was the first salvor on the scene during the 9/11 New York World Trade Center destruction and managed a large portion of the debris transport by barge.

   The American Salvage Association, however, warned that an efficient response by the industry would be helped by the Coast Guard’s final approval of regulations for salvage and marine firefighting requirements. A key aspect of the regulation is the definitive response timeframes for specific services.

   “Without those regulations in place, the industry’s preparedness could be at risk,” said Richard E. Fredricks, director of the Arlington, Va.-based American Salvage Association, and an executive SMIT Salvage Americas.

   The association’s members include American Marine Corp., Bisso Marine Co., Crowley Marine Services, Donjon Marine Co., Marine Pollution Control, Ocean Group, Parker Diving Service, Resolve Marine Group, SMIT Salvage Americas, T&T Marine Salvage, Titan Maritime and Weeks Marine.