Highlighted Projects
M/V WAKASHIO – Mauritius, 2020
Polaris supported salvage efforts for the assessment of reef damage and environmental considerations for removal of the bulk carrier M/V WAKASHIO in Mauritius in 2020. Polaris divers spent several months survey many hectares of reef around the vessel and in the lagoon where impacts ranged from excavation, rubble burial, damage from boom placement and response vessels.
M/V Antares – Tuxpan, Mexico, 2018
Polaris completed coral reef reconstruction and restoration of an approximately 4,000 square meter damaged site following the grounding of the large ferry vessel M/V ANTARES on Arrecife Tuxpan. Coral reef sections were broken and many corals detached or fractured. Polaris floated and reattached broken reef sections that had washed inshore in winter storms to recreate the offshore reef structure flattened by the vessel grounding. Reef sections were cemented prior to coral attachment. Damaged corals remaining were reattached and additional at-risk corals in fishing-damaged areas were relocated as part of the restoration effort. Polaris is currently working with the Mexican authorities (CONANP)SEMERNAT/PROFEPA) to incorporate the methods used by Polaris as guidelines for training programs for reef restoration in Mexico. The techniques and methods used are like those for the Piers and Cargo Facilities.
KEA TRADER
Provided initial in-water assessment and subsequently retained by TMC Marine to assist with wreck removal planning, environmental assessment and mitigation for the grounding on Durand Reef in New Caledonia.
M/V SEVILLA KNUTSEN – Federated States of Micronesia, 2017
Polaris surveyed coral damage from the grounding of the LNG SEVILLA KNUTSEN in Eauripik, Federated States of Micronesia. Polaris surveyed the coral damages, assessed recovery and the value of damages using a cost of restoration approach and other valuation techniques. Polaris scientists provided expert testimony at trial in Singapore.
M/V SAGA – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, 2016-2017
Polaris conducted restoration of injuries to coral reef resources in an approximate 700 m2 area of the Eden Rock North reef in the West Bay Marine Park from December 2016 through February 2017 following the grounding of the cargo vessel M/V SAGA. The site is a popular dive and snorkel site and is visible to many thousands of visitors each year. Polaris conducted reef structural repair and coral reattachment within an area affected by physical impacts of the hull. Restoration efforts included 38 days and approximately 750 man hours of underwater work. The reef was cleared of loose debris determined to pose a risk to other benthic organisms and/or divers and all rubble created by the injury was cemented on-site to fill fractures, restore rugosity and structure and provide substrate for reattachment of dislodged corals and other epibenthic organisms. An estimated 41,200 lbs. of cement were used to reconstruct the reef and stabilize over 19 tons of rubble. More than 2,400 hard and soft corals and coral fragments were reattached. The assessment data indicate return of structure and available live coral to the site were initially successful. The successful restoration indicated by the post-restoration assessment are uncommon compared to many ship groundings on coral. The site will be monitored by DoE for reattached coral survival and growth and future site stability and coral recruitment.
M/V CAPE FLATTERY – Barbers Pt. Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, 2005
The bulk carrier CAPE FLATTERY grounded near the entrance channel to Barbers Point Harbor, west Oahu, Hawaii in 2005. This incident resulted in hull and cable damage injury, as well as smothering by dry cement cargo over 60,000 m2 of a variety of reef habitat including shelf pavement, escarpment and deep slope habitats. Polaris utilized local boats and divers during more than three weeks of restoration work. Restoration efforts involved stabilization of an estimated 45 tons of rubble, removal of nearly 100 tons of rubble offshore and relocation and re-attachment of over 2,000 corals.
MAR Fund Coral Grounding and Restoration Protocol, 2020
Polaris developed vessel grounding response and reinstatement or primary restoration protocol for the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund) established for the protection of the coral reefs in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. MAR Fund is a private fund with a Board of Directors comprised of international collaborators, experts, the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD), and the in-country funds from each of the Mesoamerican Reef countries – Protected Areas Conservation Trust (Belize), Fundación para la Conservación de los Recursos Naturales y Ambiente en Guatemala (FCG), Fundación Biósfera (Honduras), and Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (Mexico). Polaris provided vessel response and restoration alternatives protocol based on our on-site attendance or involvement in over 100 large vessel groundings on coral, including 10 incidents in the Mesoamerican region.
Related Projects (*Includes NRDA)
| Project | Location |
|---|---|
| Fiji Princess | Fiji |
| Brooklyn Bridge | The Bahamas |
| LUNG YUIN | Kosrae |
| BIG FISH | Maldives |
| MSC ANTONIA | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Coral Reef Assessment | American Samoa |
| ISLANDER | Morocco |
| KUALA MAS | Indonesia |
| BARGE KATAPATAN | China |
| MV Spar Scorpio | Florida, US |
| SPIL NINGSIH | Seychelles |
| TOG MOR | Cancun, MX |
| X-PRESS PEARL | Sri Lanka |
| HA SKLENAR | Honduras |
| MV Rainier D | Florida |
| Aashi | Indonesia |
| Grande Senegal | Mexico |
| HERCA-1 | Belize |
| WAKASHIO Oil Spill and Env. Claims Consultancy | Mauritius |
| AEGEAN EXPRESS | South China Sea |
| TRESTA STAR | Réunion |
| ENDEAVOR | Venezuela |
| HWA GWO No. 6 | Tomil, Yap |
| StarKist Coral Reef Assessment | American Samoa |
| EVER FORWARD | Chesapeake Bay, MD |
| SEA EAGLE | Deerfield Beach, FL |
| WAKASHIO | Mauritius |
| ASIA PEARL IV | Indonesia |
| ULTRA TRUST | Indonesia |
| OU YA LENG 6 | Marshall Islands |
| PELAGIC EXPRESS | Ft. Lauderdale, FL * |
| Vigor dry dock | Half Moon Bay, California * |
| MARSHALL 201 | Marshall Islands |
| CENTAURUS DREAM | Indonesia |
| DORA SCHULTE | Indonesia |
| KEA TRADER | New Caledonia |
| Pipeline Coral Mitigation | Oahu, HI * |
| ANATARES | Tuxpan, Mexico |
| SEVILLA KNUTSEN | Yap |
| WEISSHORN | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| CFS PAGOLA | Belize |
| BARBARA CAROL ANN MORAN | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| VLCC ALEX | Indonesia |
| GLOBAL URANUS | Indonesia |
| SAGA | Cayman Islands |
| SAM WOLFE | Honduras |
| NGOC SON | Fuvahmulah, Maldives |
| Reef Restoration | Cayman Islands |
| MV TAMMO | Kwajalein Atoll, Rep. of the Marshall Islands |
| SGT. MATEJ KOCAK | Okinawa, Japan |
| PAPILLON DES MERS | Pinel Island, St. Martin |
| PAUL RUSS | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands |
| STADT ROTENBURG | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| FORMOSA FALCON | Bahamas |
| SSI VICTORY | Jazan, Saudi Arabia |
| UAL GABON | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| CROWN OPAL | St. Maarten * |
| TROPIC SUN | Tortola, BVI * |
| MELLSENTOSA | Yap * |
| CHEMTRANS ALSTER | Tuxpan, Mexico |
| SEMINOLE PRINCESS | Indonesia |
| SHEN NENG I | Gladstone, Australia |
| M/V ANGELN | Vieux Fort, St. Lucia |
| VOGETRADER | Oahu, Hawaii* |
| MATTHEW | Guayanilla, Puerto Rico* |
| VINALINES SKY | Indonesia |
| M/V PORT STEWART | Yabucoa, Puerto Rico* |
| WO BUDMO | Taiwan |
| HARNS | Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic |
| M/V BREITHORN | Port Esquivel, Jamaica |
| SICHEM AMETHYST | St. Croix, VI* |
| SICHEM PRINCESS MARIE CHANTAL | Tortola, BVI |
| WESTERHAVEN | Belize |
| CEMBAY | Cancun, Mexico* |
| MARGARA | Guayanilla, Puerto Rico |
| FICUS | Goulding Cay, Bahamas* |
| SCF TOMSK | San Pedro, DR* |
| GREEN CHILI | Dry Tortugas, FL* |
| LA CONCHA/AM215 | Cancun, Mexico* |
| APL PANAMA | Ensenada, Mexico |
| Caribbean Tug & Barge | Dominican Republic* |
| CLIPPER LASCO | Fort Lauderdale, FL* |
| SPERCHIOUS | Guayanilla, Puerto Rico* |
| CASITAS | Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Midway Islands* |
| CAPE FLATTERY | Honolulu, HI * |
| SEA CLOUD | St. Croix, USVI * |
| PESCA NOSTRA | St. John, USVI * |
| M/V PURITAN | Fort Lauderdale, FL* |
| MICRONESIAN HERITAGE | Yap* |
| KYOWA VIOLET | Yap* |
| KENT RELIANT | San Juan, Puerto Rico* |
| PAULA KAY | Veracruz, Mexico* |
| M/V AMORGOS | Lungkeng, Taiwan* |
| PAULINA | St. Eustatius, Netherland Antilles * |
| RUBIN | Veracruz, Mexico * |
| MISTRAL | St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies * |
| PACIFIC FALCON | Koror, Palau * |
| ALLIE B | Key Biscayne, FL * |
| KAPITAN EGOROV | Puerto Rico * |
| AUTHOR | Puerto Rico * |
| LEEWARD | Cancun, Mexico * |
| PROFITIS ELIAS | Veracruz, Mexico * |
| FORTUNA REEFER | Puerto Rico * |
| GEANIE G | Petit Bois Island, MI * |
| FIRAT | Ft. Lauderdale, FL * |
| CAPTAIN JOE | Florida Keys * |
| OCEANUS | Satawal Island, Yap * |
Highlighted Projects
M/V WAKASHIO – Mauritius, 2020
Polaris supported salvage efforts for the assessment of reef damage and environmental considerations for removal of the bulk carrier M/V WAKASHIO in Mauritius in 2020. Polaris divers spent several months survey many hectares of reef around the vessel and in the lagoon where impacts ranged from excavation, rubble burial, damage from boom placement and response vessels.
M/V Antares – Tuxpan, Mexico, 2018
Polaris completed coral reef reconstruction and restoration of an approximately 4,000 square meter damaged site following the grounding of the large ferry vessel M/V ANTARES on Arrecife Tuxpan. Coral reef sections were broken and many corals detached or fractured. Polaris floated and reattached broken reef sections that had washed inshore in winter storms to recreate the offshore reef structure flattened by the vessel grounding. Reef sections were cemented prior to coral attachment. Damaged corals remaining were reattached and additional at-risk corals in fishing-damaged areas were relocated as part of the restoration effort. Polaris is currently working with the Mexican authorities (CONANP)SEMERNAT/PROFEPA) to incorporate the methods used by Polaris as guidelines for training programs for reef restoration in Mexico. The techniques and methods used are like those for the Piers and Cargo Facilities.
Kea Trader
Provided initial in-water assessment and subsequently retained by TMC Marine to assist with wreck removal planning, environmental assessment and mitigation for the grounding on Durand Reef in New Caledonia.
M/V SEVILLA KNUTSEN – Federated States of Micronesia, 2017
Polaris surveyed coral damage from the grounding of the LNG SEVILLA KNUTSEN in Eauripik, Federated States of Micronesia. Polaris surveyed the coral damages, assessed recovery and the value of damages using a cost of restoration approach and other valuation techniques. Polaris scientists provided expert testimony at trial in Singapore.
M/V SAGA – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, 2016-2017
Polaris conducted restoration of injuries to coral reef resources in an approximate 700 m2 area of the Eden Rock North reef in the West Bay Marine Park from December 2016 through February 2017 following the grounding of the cargo vessel M/V SAGA. The site is a popular dive and snorkel site and is visible to many thousands of visitors each year. Polaris conducted reef structural repair and coral reattachment within an area affected by physical impacts of the hull. Restoration efforts included 38 days and approximately 750 man hours of underwater work. The reef was cleared of loose debris determined to pose a risk to other benthic organisms and/or divers and all rubble created by the injury was cemented on-site to fill fractures, restore rugosity and structure and provide substrate for reattachment of dislodged corals and other epibenthic organisms. An estimated 41,200 lbs. of cement were used to reconstruct the reef and stabilize over 19 tons of rubble. More than 2,400 hard and soft corals and coral fragments were reattached. The assessment data indicate return of structure and available live coral to the site were initially successful. The successful restoration indicated by the post-restoration assessment are uncommon compared to many ship groundings on coral. The site will be monitored by DoE for reattached coral survival and growth and future site stability and coral recruitment.
M/V CAPE FLATTERY – Barbers Pt. Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, 2005
The bulk carrier CAPE FLATTERY grounded near the entrance channel to Barbers Point Harbor, west Oahu, Hawaii in 2005. This incident resulted in hull and cable damage injury, as well as smothering by dry cement cargo over 60,000 m2 of a variety of reef habitat including shelf pavement, escarpment and deep slope habitats. Polaris utilized local boats and divers during more than three weeks of restoration work. Restoration efforts involved stabilization of an estimated 45 tons of rubble, removal of nearly 100 tons of rubble offshore and relocation and re-attachment of over 2,000 corals.
MAR Fund Coral Grounding and Restoration Protocol, 2020
Polaris developed vessel grounding response and reinstatement or primary restoration protocol for the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund) established for the protection of the coral reefs in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. MAR Fund is a private fund with a Board of Directors comprised of international collaborators, experts, the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD), and the in-country funds from each of the Mesoamerican Reef countries – Protected Areas Conservation Trust (Belize), Fundación para la Conservación de los Recursos Naturales y Ambiente en Guatemala (FCG), Fundación Biósfera (Honduras), and Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (Mexico). Polaris provided vessel response and restoration alternatives protocol based on our on-site attendance or involvement in over 100 large vessel groundings on coral, including 10 incidents in the Mesoamerican region.
Related Projects (*Includes NRDA)
| Project | Location |
|---|---|
| Fiji Princess | Fiji |
| Brooklyn Bridge | The Bahamas |
| LUNG YUIN | Kosrae |
| BIG FISH | Maldives |
| MSC ANTONIA | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Coral Reef Assessment | American Samoa |
| ISLANDER | Morocco |
| KUALA MAS | Indonesia |
| BARGE KATAPATAN | China |
| MV Spar Scorpio | Florida, US |
| SPIL NINGSIH | Seychelles |
| TOG MOR | Cancun, MX |
| X-PRESS PEARL | Sri Lanka |
| HA SKLENAR | Honduras |
| MV Rainier D | Florida |
| Aashi | Indonesia |
| Grande Senegal | Mexico |
| HERCA-1 | Belize |
| WAKASHIO Oil Spill and Env. Claims Consultancy | Mauritius |
| AEGEAN EXPRESS | South China Sea |
| TRESTA STAR | Réunion |
| ENDEAVOR | Venezuela |
| HWA GWO No. 6 | Tomil, Yap |
| StarKist Coral Reef Assessment | American Samoa |
| EVER FORWARD | Chesapeake Bay, MD |
| SEA EAGLE | Deerfield Beach, FL |
| WAKASHIO | Mauritius |
| ASIA PEARL IV | Indonesia |
| ULTRA TRUST | Indonesia |
| OU YA LENG 6 | Marshall Islands |
| PELAGIC EXPRESS | Ft. Lauderdale, FL * |
| Vigor dry dock | Half Moon Bay, California * |
| MARSHALL 201 | Marshall Islands |
| CENTAURUS DREAM | Indonesia |
| DORA SCHULTE | Indonesia |
| KEA TRADER | New Caledonia |
| Pipeline Coral Mitigation | Oahu, HI * |
| ANATARES | Tuxpan, Mexico |
| SEVILLA KNUTSEN | Yap |
| WEISSHORN | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| CFS PAGOLA | Belize |
| BARBARA CAROL ANN MORAN | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| VLCC ALEX | Indonesia |
| GLOBAL URANUS | Indonesia |
| SAGA | Cayman Islands |
| SAM WOLFE | Honduras |
| NGOC SON | Fuvahmulah, Maldives |
| Reef Restoration | Cayman Islands |
| MV TAMMO | Kwajalein Atoll, Rep. of the Marshall Islands |
| SGT. MATEJ KOCAK | Okinawa, Japan |
| PAPILLON DES MERS | Pinel Island, St. Martin |
| PAUL RUSS | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands |
| STADT ROTENBURG | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| FORMOSA FALCON | Bahamas |
| SSI VICTORY | Jazan, Saudi Arabia |
| UAL GABON | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| CROWN OPAL | St. Maarten * |
| TROPIC SUN | Tortola, BVI * |
| MELLSENTOSA | Yap * |
| CHEMTRANS ALSTER | Tuxpan, Mexico |
| SEMINOLE PRINCESS | Indonesia |
| SHEN NENG I | Gladstone, Australia |
| M/V ANGELN | Vieux Fort, St. Lucia |
| VOGETRADER | Oahu, Hawaii* |
| MATTHEW | Guayanilla, Puerto Rico* |
| VINALINES SKY | Indonesia |
| M/V PORT STEWART | Yabucoa, Puerto Rico* |
| WO BUDMO | Taiwan |
| HARNS | Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic |
| M/V BREITHORN | Port Esquivel, Jamaica |
| SICHEM AMETHYST | St. Croix, VI* |
| SICHEM PRINCESS MARIE CHANTAL | Tortola, BVI |
| WESTERHAVEN | Belize |
| CEMBAY | Cancun, Mexico* |
| MARGARA | Guayanilla, Puerto Rico |
| FICUS | Goulding Cay, Bahamas* |
| SCF TOMSK | San Pedro, DR* |
| GREEN CHILI | Dry Tortugas, FL* |
| LA CONCHA/AM215 | Cancun, Mexico* |
| APL PANAMA | Ensenada, Mexico |
| Caribbean Tug & Barge | Dominican Republic* |
| CLIPPER LASCO | Fort Lauderdale, FL* |
| SPERCHIOUS | Guayanilla, Puerto Rico* |
| CASITAS | Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Midway Islands* |
| CAPE FLATTERY | Honolulu, HI * |
| SEA CLOUD | St. Croix, USVI * |
| PESCA NOSTRA | St. John, USVI * |
| M/V PURITAN | Fort Lauderdale, FL* |
| MICRONESIAN HERITAGE | Yap* |
| KYOWA VIOLET | Yap* |
| KENT RELIANT | San Juan, Puerto Rico* |
| PAULA KAY | Veracruz, Mexico* |
| M/V AMORGOS | Lungkeng, Taiwan* |
| PAULINA | St. Eustatius, Netherland Antilles * |
| RUBIN | Veracruz, Mexico * |
| MISTRAL | St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies * |
| PACIFIC FALCON | Koror, Palau * |
| ALLIE B | Key Biscayne, FL * |
| KAPITAN EGOROV | Puerto Rico * |
| AUTHOR | Puerto Rico * |
| LEEWARD | Cancun, Mexico * |
| PROFITIS ELIAS | Veracruz, Mexico * |
| FORTUNA REEFER | Puerto Rico * |
| GEANIE G | Petit Bois Island, MI * |
| FIRAT | Ft. Lauderdale, FL * |
| CAPTAIN JOE | Florida Keys * |
| OCEANUS | Satawal Island, Yap * |