Given the nature of this incident, the MRA elected to have Titan lead the response, with the knowledge that emergency lightering packages from MPC and powerful tugs belonging to CMS would be available in Louisiana if needed.

Titan immediately dispatched Assistant Salvage Master John Swanson from New Orleans to the Sea Jackie while arrangements were made to fly naval Architect Jeremy Vecchione and Salvage Master David Walshe to New Orleans from Titan's Florida headquarters.

Logistics Co-Ordinator Gage Parrot was simultaneously sent to V-Ship's Miami office to facilitate Titan's technical response with regard to vessel data. A full dive/salvage team loaded with specialised equipment was mobilised by road.

The first vessel dispatched to the scene on behalf of Titan was E N Bisso & Sons' tug Vera Bisso', a powerful but manoeuvrable boat purpose-built for Mississippi River operations.

With Titan's Salvage Plan approved by the US Coast Guard early the next morning, Titan mobilised additional tugs to assist in the refloating effort, with a total of five combining for a bollard pull in excess of 400 tonnes. With numbers checked and re-checked, Titan refloated the Sea Jackie on the morning tide less than 48 hours after she grounded.

MJ Information No: 17410