Ever Forward Cargo Ship Stuck In Chesapeake Bay Finally Freed

MARYLAND — The Ever Forward, a 1,095-foot container ship stuck in the Chesapeake Bay near Craighill Channel for more than a month, is finally free and moving again.

Several crews, including the U.S. Coast Guard, were able to successfully refloat the Hong Kong-flagged ship Sunday following a 35-day salvage operation. It had departed Baltimore on March 13 when it ran aground.

“We are deeply appreciative of the efforts put forth by the U.S. Coast Guard, Maryland Port Administration, local and federal Environmental Protection Agencies, and the many private service providers that were engaged, all of whom worked tirelessly to bring this event to a successful conclusion," Evergreen Line representatives said in a statement.

Following two unsuccessful refloat attempts on March 29 and 30, salvage experts said they determined they would not be able to overcome the ground force of the Ever Forward in its loaded condition, with 4,964 containers aboard.

Operations to remove 500 containers with crane barges ran from April 9 through 16.

Authorities said that after the containers were removed, two pulling barges, two tugs from Donjon-SMIT, two tugs from Moran, and two tugs from McAllister freed the Ever Forward about 7 a.m. Sunday.

“The vastness and complexity of this response were historic, as an incident like the Ever Forward grounding, in type and duration, is a rare occurrence,” said Capt. David O’Connell, commander of Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region. “It was the collaboration of each responding agency, Evergreen Marine Corporation, and dedicated responders that resulted in the successful refloating of Ever Forward while ensuring the safety of the public and response personnel, mitigating pollution potential, and minimizing economic impacts.”

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the ship will be towed to the Annapolis Anchorage Grounds for inspection. It will reload the containers that had been removed and continue its voyage to its next port of call in Norfolk, Virginia.

Throughout the operation, authorities said extensive steps were taken to protect the environment. Fuel tanks on the ship were regularly monitored, and equipment that included a containment boom was pre-staged for rapid deployment in the event of a fuel release.

SEE ALSO:

• Giant Container Ship Stuck In Chesapeake Bay
• Ship Ever Forward Still Stuck In Chesapeake Bay, Crews Revise Strategy
• First Attempt To Free Container Ship Stuck In Bay Set For Tuesday