The Emerald-Express: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

After enduring a challenging three-month ordeal stranded on Crooked Island, the cargo vessel "Emerald Express" has finally been refloated and returned to sea. The ship was dislocated by the powerful Hurricane Joaquin on October 1, which boasted winds of 135 mph, pushing the vessel inland where it ultimately came to rest on the edge of Horse Pond in a mangrove swamp. The force of the storm had created such a significant storm surge that the ship navigated over reefs and mangroves without issue until it reached shallower waters near Lovely Bay. During its time ashore, a dedicated crew of four out of the total eight members remained aboard the "Emerald Express" to monitor her condition. G-G Marine, the vessel's operator, promptly dispatched a team along with equipment to aid in the salvage mission. Additionally, the Bahamas Electricity Corporation played a vital role in the recovery efforts by expanding six miles of roadway necessary for the vessel's overland transportation. Two weeks after Hurricane Joaquin had swept through, officials from G-G Marine arrived on Crooked Island to assess the situation and devise a plan for relaunching the ship. Initial evaluations indicated that existing roadways would need to be widened significantly to facilitate the transportation of the vessel back to the sea. By early November, heavy equipment operators began dredging a six-mile roadway linking Horse Pond to a shallow pond that leads into Lovely Bay. With the canal completed, heavy machinery, including a large Caterpillar bulldozer, was employed to carefully lift and transport the "Emerald Express" using inflatable rubber tubes. A team of laborers formed a moving line of airbags to ensure a smooth passage over the six-mile route. Once successfully floated, the barge was navigated in six feet of water for an additional 15 miles before finally making its way back to open waters. This intricate operation highlights the tenacity and teamwork involved in maritime recovery efforts. For a detailed report complete with photos and video coverage, visit: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/dec/21/ship-stranded-miles-inland-hurricane-relaunched/

In a remarkable incident following Hurricane Joaquin, the landing craft "Emerald Express" found itself stranded an astonishing 21 miles inland at Horse Pond on Crooked Island. This event unfolded on October 1, 2015, when the ship was swept from its course during the hurricane. The vessel was displaced into a shallow creek at Lovely Bay, where rising water levels prompted the crew to mistakenly believe they were still afloat on the open sea. On its journey from Great Inagua to Fort Lauderdale, the "Emerald Express" ended up wedged in a mangrove swamp. At the time of the incident, four of the eight crew members remained on board. Recovery operations were scheduled to commence on November 12, with the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) tasked with the salvage efforts. The process of returning the vessel to sea is anticipated to take roughly a month. For further details, including photos and videos, visit: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/nov/11/ship-beached-after-hurricane-joaquin/