06/17/2026
What does it take to recover a barge that's been sitting underwater for nearly five years?
According to Salmons Director of Dive Operations John Lares, it starts long before the lift ever happens.
Working alongside Stevens Towing Company on the recovery of an abandoned 90-foot barge in Wappoo Creek, our dive team was brought in to inspect the wreck, survey conditions below the surface, and help develop the salvage plan that guided the operation.
Once the plan was in place, our divers returned to install the heavy rigging beneath the vessel working in limited visibility, strong currents, and deep mud to prepare the wreck for recovery.
As John explains in this video, salvage work is rarely as simple as lifting something off the bottom. Every project requires planning, communication, and experienced crews ready to adapt when conditions change.
We're proud to have supported Stevens Towing, the Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Coast Guard on the successful removal of another navigational and environmental hazard from South Carolina's waterways.
