M/V Lyra; Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina

Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina | 1993-Jan-26

Initial Notification: On January 26, 1993, the M/V Lyra was under tow by the tug Mark McAllister from New York to Charleston, SC in a "dead ship" status (i.e., the vessel had no power and no personnel) when the tow line parted causing the Lyra to drift downwind at three knots with the potential to ground on Frying Pan Shoals, NC. Winds 35 to 40 knots and seas running 16 to 18 feet made retrieving the emergency towing hawser impossible for the tug's crew. The McAllister Tug Company and Lykes Shipping arranged to have four persons flown out to the vessel by a U.S. Marine helicopter. The helicopter successfully placed emergency ship's personnel on the M/V Lyra who were able to drop the vessel's port anchor. On January 31 the M/V Lyra's crew connected appropriate towing hawsers and continued the tow without further incident. USCG district 5.