AURORA, Ky. (AP) -- Work is expected to begin this weekend to remove a section of a western Kentucky bridge that remains on the bow of a cargo ship after the vessel crashed into it last week.
The U.S. Coast Guard approved a salvage plan Friday, and Lt. Ron Easley says the work is planned to start Saturday.
"Obviously, there's potential weather and other kinds of variables that could slow things down, but the hopes are to start things tomorrow," he said.
Foss Maritime, owner of the Delta Mariner, has brought in support vessels and technical salvage equipment to begin debris removal, the Coast Guard said.
The boat hauling rocket parts struck the Eggner's Ferry Bridge near Aurora after dark on Jan. 26, pulling away part of the span that connects Marshall County with Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The cause of the collision is under investigation.
Klenck Company of Evansville, Ind., is set to demolish a span of the bridge lying across the bow of the Delta Mariner in Kentucky Lake. Company spokesman V. Nicholas Funke told The Paducah Sun that the plan is to sheer the steel trusses away from the sides of the boat.
Terry Williams, spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said investigators from his agency are on hand assisting the Coast Guard. Williams said research and engineering personnel were at the scene to study a voice data recorder in the ship's pilothouse.
