Crews begin dismantling derelict barge in Columbia River
With the derelict barge Davy Crockett walled off from the Columbia River, salvage crews have begun the tedious task of cutting the ship apart at its mooring.
The Davy Crockett, once visibly broken in half in the river, is now barely visible behind a cofferdam built around it and the cluster of vessels assisting in the cleanup. The stern has been separated from the barge’s midsection and brought to the surface of the water.
The cofferdam, a steel wall lined with a water- and oil-proof membrane, was finished last month and so far has contained oil and other contaminants.
“This was not our preference, to be actually cutting this up in the river,” said Capt. Daniel LeBlanc, the Coast Guard incident commander. “But in hindsight, you look at it and say it’s probably the best thing for the environment.”
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