GALLERY: Paragon recovers drillship grounded by Hurricane Harvey

The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday monitored the recovery and transit of the grounded drillship Paragon DPDS1 in the Aransas Pass near Corpus Christi, Texas.

To remind, the grounded drillship, formerly known as the Noble Phoenix, broke loose of its moorings on Saturday, August 26, during Hurricane Harvey, sinking a tugboat in the process.

Last week, Paragon and its service providers conducted a survey of the vessel’s condition and presented a removal plan to the Coast Guard that took into account the condition of the channel, the condition of the vessel, public safety, and the environment.

The Coast Guard said on Monday that, after it approved the salvage plan for the drillship, the vessel was recovered and towed to Gulf Marine Fabricators in Corpus Christi.

According to the Coast Guard, there have been no reports of pollution from the incident.

Coast Guard port captain, Tony Hahn, said: “This salvage was an incredibly complex effort achieved only through tremendous collaboration between the Port Authority, pilots, industry stakeholders, the salvage company and the Coast Guard.

“I am especially thankful for the great oversight and technical counsel I received from Lt. Dan Burke of the Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team. His sage counsel was instrumental in the safe salvage and transit of the drillship.”

Images by: U.S. Coast Guard and Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall