Resolve Towing and Salvage, Inc., a division of Resolve Marine Group, Inc., deployed its assets in response to a grounded vessel near the Texas coast. The 691-foot Integrated Tug and Barge (ITB), which was transporting 330,000 barrels of premium and regular unleaded gasoline to Port Everglades, Florida ran aground 1.5 miles from the Sabine Pass Jetties.

Upon arrival of Resolve’s Salvage crews, surveying and engineering assessments were made and it was determined that nearly a third of the cargo needed to be carefully removed from the vessel in order to refloat it. Under the guidance of Resolve Salvage Master, Frank Leckey, the nine man team transferred the product, developed the refloat plan and hired additional floating assets. The seven-day evolution resulted in the successful transferring of 100,000 barrels of gasoline to a barge, after which five tugboats towed the grounded ITB back into the Sabine Pass Channel.

Upon refloating the ITB safely, Resolve’s Salvage Master returned custody of the vessel to the ship’s pilots. Integrated Tug and Barges are barges that are pushed by specially-configured tugboats. When the tug and barge are connected, the two form a single unit that functions as a ship. There were no reports of accidents, injuries or discharges of pollution as a result of the incident. Inspectors determined the vessel showed no signs of damage as a result of the grounding.

The cause of the incident is being investigated by the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office of Port Arthur, Texas. Resolve Marine Group, Inc. has been in business nearly 25 years and offers such services as emergency marine salvage, towing and lightering services. The company also facilitates dozens of marine special projects annually, including the sinking of artificial reefs.