The removal of the Ocean Clipper can now be seen on the National Geographic Chanel!

World’s Toughest Fixes presents “Alaskan Salvage” the removal of the F/V Ocean Clipper off St. Paul Island by MCAF, Magone Marine, St. Paul Tribe and NOAA. Premiering on Thursday, September 30 at 4pm & 7pm in Alaska. See more!

Habitat Restoration - The Ocean Clipper Story

Shipwrecked on a fur seal rookery on St. Paul Island, Alaska in the late 1980's, the F/V Ocean Clipper became a death trap to Northern Fur Seal pups. The vessel was too rusted to haul off the reef, so it had to be removed in pieces, while working in sub-freezing temperatures. Watch this fascinating account of perseverance and ingenuity.

Day 15

One of the Magone crew put on a wetsuit to look for pieces in the ice near shore. The rest of the crew continued to bag small pieces that were underneath the last remaining piece that had been pulled down the previous day. Finally, the SV Redeemer came out to pull the last piece aboard. Even though the ice is still thick, getting the hawser line ashore was much easier as there was a path clear of ice.

The last piece was hauled aboard and the crane, excavator and all other equipment (torch lines and tanks) were removed and hauled back to the barge.

The SV Redeemer, SV Western Viking and the Keshega barge departed St Paul harbor at 11:00 p.m.

The goal of removing the FV Ocean Clipper by 11:59 p.m. May 1 had been achieved.

Day 14

The ice remains thick along the reef and out for several hundred yards.

Removal of the many pieces and supersacks of debris continues via the highline through mid-afternoon. After removing all of the pieces that could go via the highline, a come-along is attached to the mast of the sole remaining piece. Many had viewed the piece to be ready to topple at any time, however, it took a great deal of reefing on the come-along to pull it down.

The SV Redeemer came around to get the last pieces. Getting the hawser to shore proved a difficult feat. As the hawser came off the ship many large pieces of ice immediately bumped up against it. Pulling the line in from shore was very difficult with the crew of eight. Eventually the come-along had to be attached and the hawser was finally joined to the one of the two pieces. Getting it back aboard the ship was much easier than getting the line ashore.

Day 13

The weather remains cold. Ice has returned and is thick for several hundred yards out from the site.

Removal of the sections and pieces continued via the highline. The crew is getting the difficult pieces, the ones that fell away from land. It involves using the come alongs (turfers) and the highline to get the pieces into position for lifting to the staging site.

The crew continued to police the area for the many small pieces that are a result of the mess that was on board.

Very little remains standing, essentially only the mast with the guy wires.

Day 12

Weather was cold and windy in the morning but the sun came out in the afternoon and warmed things up.

Section and piece removal continued. The roof was removed up to the point of rear mast stabilizing mounts. Note that the forward mast stabilizing poles are no longer connected. Sections of the keel were also removed from the frozen ground.

The SV Redeemer came around and a line was sent to shore. The starboard stern fuel tank was removed via the water. All went well and looks good for removing the last of the pieces in this manner.

Spent time policing the area for small pieces of debris in preparation for the final cleanup.

Day 11

All of the previously stockpiled debris has now been removed from the beach. The starboard side of the bow bottom was freed from the ice with explosives and all of the bow sections have now been removed except for the starboard side wheelhouse, which will be taken off via the water side.

Explosives were also used to free the heavily iced stern bottom sections, however, chipping and sawing is still required to free them.

Wednesdays work should focus on removing the starboard sections of the fish hold and outer hull.

The weather is still cold and windy. Temperature in the low 20’s with winds to 25 knots. Chill factor to 4° to 6° F.

Saturday still appears to be the final day of work.

Day 10

Removal of the pieces with the highline continued all day. Many pieces have now been removed. All of the vessel is now cut. Only small connections remain so that the pieces can have the highline connected to it so that they do not fall in the wrong direction.

The last of fuel tanks (starboard mid-section) was cut into and was dry.

Around 3 pm, Magone donned a wetsuit and snorkel and swam from the site to the location where the barge can be anchored. The purpose was to examine the bottom for the possibility of moving the pieces to the barge. Dan reported that the route was clear.

I think that more than 30% of the vessel is currently on the barge.

The afternoon was cold with chill factors to 15° F. Tomorrow is to be colder with chill factors to 6° F.