In May 2026, North Marine was engaged by NQ Marine Tow & Salvage to provide vessel, personnel and salvage support for the recovery of Juniper at Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island.

Using Sea Horse and a four-person salvage team, North Marine undertook dive inspections, recovery planning, lift bag installation, dewatering operations and environmental protection measures. The project required multiple revisions to the recovery methodology as site conditions and equipment challenges were encountered. Through a combination of buoyancy-assisted lifting, dewatering and adaptive salvage techniques, the vessel was successfully refloated, stabilised and prepared for towage to Townsville Marina.

Scope of Work

North Marine mobilised Sea Horse and a specialist salvage team from Cairns to support the recovery of Juniper. Upon arrival, divers conducted inspections to assess the vessel’s condition and establish a suitable recovery methodology.

The operation involved the installation of lift bags, chains and associated salvage equipment to progressively generate buoyancy and raise the vessel from the seabed. Environmental controls, including containment booms, were implemented throughout the operation to minimise environmental risk. Following refloating, dewatering operations were undertaken to improve vessel stability and prepare the vessel for towage.

Once recovery was complete, all salvage equipment was removed from the vessel and recovered from site before Juniper was handed over to NQ Marine Tow & Salvage for towage to Townsville Marina.

Project Highlights

• Salvage support provided to NQ Marine Tow & Salvage
• Recovery of an approximately 25-tonne submerged sailing vessel
• Four-person specialist salvage team deployed aboard Sea Horse
• Complex lift bag and buoyancy-assisted recovery operation
• Environmental controls maintained throughout the project
• Successful recovery despite equipment and operational challenges
• Vessel successfully refloated, dewatered and prepared for towage