Date: April 10, 2011 Time:
Media Contacts:
Erik Swanson, U.S. Coast Guard, (510) 289-5794
Carol Singleton, California Dept. of Fish and Game, (916) 539-6124
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. -- The owner of the fishing vessel Kodiak presented Global Diving with his vessel’s propeller this morning, in appreciation for the hard work and efforts to save the Kodiak.
Built in 1926, the 87-foot Kodiak served as a search and rescue vessel during the 1964 earthquake in Alaska under the operation of the Navy. It sank in the Crescent City Inner Boat Basin after the March 11, 2011, tsunami swept through the area, sinking 15 other vessels in its wake and causing more than $20 million in damages.
As a potential pollution hazard, federal, state and contractor responders raised the Kodiak, pumped the fuel from the diesel tanks and worked to patch the damaged hull. After further examination of the vessel, it was determined the Kodiak could not be saved when extensive damages were recognized along the keel of the vessel. The oiled remains of the Kodiak were then removed from the harbor.
“The Global Diving team bent over backwards, risking life and limb to save my vessel,” said Mike Garfield, owner of the Kodiak. “But that boat could not be saved.”
Garfield worked to restore the 85 year-old-vessel for more than 13 years, putting more than $100,000 of his retirement savings into the project. Garfield chose to restore the vessel because of its historical significance.
Global Diving plans to clean the propeller and display it at their Richmond, Calif., office.
Photo Release:
110410-G-5394S-001 Fishing vessel Kodiak
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. - Mike Garfield (center), owner of the fishing vessel Kodiak, Kyle Watson (left), of Global Diving, and Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Higgins, of Sector San Francisco, pose for a photo, Sunday, April 10, 2011, after Garfield presented Watson with the propeller of the Kodiak in appreciation for the efforts to save his vessel. Built in 1926, the 87-foot Kodiak sank in the Crescent City Harbor inner boat basin after the March 11, 2011, tsunami swept through the area, sinking 15 other vessels in its wake and causing more than $20 million in damages. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson.
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