North Marine was engaged by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to recover and dispose of Faithy May, a 14.8 metre timber recreational vessel submerged in approximately 17 metres of water near Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Salvage operations were undertaken between August and September 2026, with multiple recovery attempts required due to the vessel’s deteriorated condition, greater-than-anticipated weight and strong tidal currents.

The challenging recovery required a combination of commercial diving, specialist lifting equipment and marine assets, with the salvage methodology progressively adapted to safely raise and remove the wreck.

Scope of Work

The scope of work included site inspections, salvage planning, mobilisation of specialist personnel and marine equipment, underwater rigging, lift bag installation and buoyancy-assisted recovery.

North Marine utilised Pacific Ranger, Sea Horse, WB IV with a 40 tonne excavator and supporting workboats throughout the operation. Following initial unsuccessful lifting attempts, the recovery methodology was revised to incorporate additional lifting support and progressively relocate the vessel into shallower water.

Once positioned alongside WB IV, Faithy May was supported at the waterline and carefully dismantled using the excavator. The remaining keel and vessel structure were recovered onto the barge for final dismantling and disposal, with measures implemented to minimise debris entering the surrounding marine environment.

Project Highlights

• Salvage of a 14.8 metre timber vessel submerged in approximately 17 metres of water.

• Multiple recovery attempts undertaken between August and September 2026.

• Specialist commercial diving, underwater rigging and buoyancy-assisted lifting using four 5 tonne lift bags.

• Combined lifting support from Pacific Ranger’s A-frame and a 40 tonne excavator aboard WB IV.

• Recovery methodology adapted to overcome strong tidal currents, deteriorated vessel structure and challenging lifting conditions.

• Successful raising and relocation of the wreck into shallower water.

• Controlled mechanical dismantling from WB IV, with the remaining keel and vessel structure recovered onto the barge.

• Salvage successfully completed with environmental controls implemented throughout the operation.