Salvaging the LADY CHRISTINE

June 22-28, 1998

A Log Report by Sean Hastings, Policy Specialist

NOAA,Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

Lady Christine back afloat August 3, 1998

I packed a day pack and hiked over to Green Mountain where the SMI National Park Service Ranger Ian Williams was waiting. We proceeded to Travertine Cove to survey the salvage site of the LADY CHRISTINE.

At the site, Ian pointed out sensitive archaeological and cultural areas on the bluff face, as well as detailing the history behind the grounding of the vessel and the prior salvage attempts. Around 18:00 we proceeded back to the Ranger station.

I left my gear at the ranger station to be flown to the Dry Lake on the west side of the island where I was to stay at the Pt. Bennett Research Station, which is closer to the site. I hiked from the Ranger station to the salvage site and arrived at 13:00. The BULL DOG barge, WHIP IT and speed boat were anchored on the lee side (south side) of Castle Rock.

I made contact with the crew who were preparing supplies for the salvage effort.

14:30 Salvage crew negotiates the surf aboard the WHIP IT and arrives at the Lady Christine.

Environmental Conditions - Mostly cloudy skies, wind from the NW @ 15 knots, 1-3' swell with short intervals, white caps present beyond the breakers. Two male California Sea lions are hauled out to the east of the Lady Christine. Notable birds include oyster catchers and western gulls.

19:00 Salvage crew leaves work site for BULL DOG. BULL DOG is planning on anchoring in the lee of Castle Rock for the night. I head for the research station at Pt. Bennett once the crew has left the beach and arrived safely to the barge.

Environmental Conditions - Mostly cloudy NW winds @ 15 knots, seas are 1-3' and choppy. There are 6 male sea lions hauled out in Travertine Cove.

16:30 - Brief sun breaks, wind and surf as before. Jim is welding holding boxes for the hydraulic pumps to the hull of the Lady Christine on the starboard side aft.

Aaron Hebshi with the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, and Kevin a volunteer NPS, joined us today at the site. The three of us proceeded to clean up the beach, removing mainly buoys and plastics and stashing them in a fish hold aboard the vessel.

The F/V Island Hooker has been present all day and is long lining on the west and east sides of Castle Rock.

The F/V Island Hooker has been present all day and is long lining on the west and east sides of Castle Rock.

18:30 - Salvage operation done for the day. Four holds are connected to the starboard stern side of the vessel.

Hydraulic lineshave been run on either side of the vessel to the approximate location of the other jacks. BULL DOG heads for Cuyler Harbor for a safer, smoother anchorage.

I meet Kevin and the salvage crew at 13:00 and escort the crew to the salvage site. On site at 13:30 and crew resumes setting up jacks and holds.

Environmental Conditions - Breezy with white caps present. Swell has dropped to 1-2'.

17:30 - Salvage operations complete for the day. I escort the crew back to the ranger station, where they then proceed down to Cuyler to meet Bradly the crew member who has remained on the barge. The outboard engine is still not functioning.

Progress - Four jacks are in place on the starboard aft side. The hydraulic lines and control panel run to the house on the stern. A 25 gallon water tank, filledwith water from a spring running off the bluffs, is set up to run the hydraulics. The jacks were tested and managed to lift the vessel 2-4'' out of the sand. This caused the sand to separate from the entire starboard side of the hull and some of the sand has slumped.

11:00 Aaron and I prepare to go to Prince Island to survey the Cassin's Aucklet nest boxes. While en route to the Island via a zodiac, I saw the WHIP IT under way heading for Harris Point. I radioed to Kevin who explains the salvage crew has fixed the outboard engine and Marty and Jim are heading to the salvage site. I continue to Prince Island and assist Aaron with the bird research (IN preparation - See next journal article on seabird work).

16:00 - Back at the ranger station I head for the salvage site.

 19:30 - Marty and Jim pack up and maneuver the WHIP IT through the surf on their way back to Cuyler. Wind is blowing 20-25 knots from the NW, wind swell is running at approx. 5 feet. I radio to Kevin to check with the BULL DOG to insure the WHIP IT arrives safely. I head to the Pt. Bennett research station .

Environment - Low ceiling, fog dwon to 600 feet, visibility 4 - 5 miles, 15 knot winds from NW, swell is choppy 2-4 feet.

09:00 - On site at the Lady Christine. Crew arrives via WHIP IT and proceeds with the lifting operation and setting up the jacks on the port bow side. The sand has filled in under the vessel, which is what the crew wants to happen. The deck is nearly level, having gone from a 15-20 degree list to starboard to level. Operations continue until 13:00 when lunch is taken. I notice a brief clearing in the otherwise foggy skies and head for the landing strip.

A Channel Islands Aviation plane is called in and arrives @14:00. I quickly brief Ranger Ian Williams on the progress of the salvage operations and I head for the mainland on the plane.