In Peril: A Firsthand Experience

The rescue of the tug J.A. Orgeron, by the oil tanker Cherry Valley, made history in 1994 for many reasons. The Orgeron was caught by Tropical Storm Gordon off the east coast of Florida when she lost both main engines. Sixty-knot gusts were pushing the tug and its barge rapidly toward the coast when the Captain called for help. In 20-foot seas next to shoal water, the Cherry Valley rescued the crew, tug, and barge with its cargo intact. The cargo, a $50 million liquid fuel cell for NASA's space shuttle, quickly changed the rescue into a salvage case.
Margate Decision (146 KB)