BOAT OF THE MONTH
10 • May 2021
M/V Salvage Chief
Name: M/V Salvage Chief
Owner: Salvage Chief, LLC Leased by the
Salvage Chief (LSM380) Foundation
Engine: Twin screws, two 38D8 1/8 10 cylinder
opposed piston Fairbanks Morse engines total
3600 horsepower
Cruising speed: 13.3 knots (24.6 kilometers per
hour; 15.3 miles per hour)
Homeport: Astoria, Oregon
Year: Dec. 23, 1944
Fuel capacity: 80,000 gallons
Length: 202.6 feet
Use: The Salvage Chief is used for training and
standby for emergency operations. In 1944, it
was originally commissioned as the USS LSM
Beam: 34.6 feet
Draft: 6.5 feet
Coast River Business Journal
By Emily Lindblom
Coast River Business Journal • elindblom@crbizjournal.com
Photos Courtesy of the Salvage Chief Foundation
380 and then was retrofi tted to rescue wrecked
vessels.
According to the Salvage Chief Foundation,
the ship has conducted more than 300 salvage
operations and has saved approximately 95%
of the ships run aground and shipwrecks on
the West Coast since its start. The foundation
is currently advocating to secure funding to
update the Salvage Chief so it’s ready for more
training and emergency response.
PORT OF ILWACO
Full Service Marina
Self-Service Boatyard
Waterfront Walkway
Retail Shops
Restaurants
Lodging
Fishing Charters
www.portofilwaco.com
360-642-3143
Fam
ily
Ow
ne
d
503-861-2791
60 SE 1 st St. • Warrenton
• Full teardown including;
head gaskets, studs, injectors, intakes
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Exhaust
W
CP3 Conversions
specia e
Engine Work
liz
Duram e in
Transmission Repair
a
Computer Diagnostics
work! x
Suspension Work
Brakes & A.C. Work
General repair on all makes & models
TOP LEFT: An advertisement for the Salvage Chief. TOP RIGHT: A painting of the ship. ABOVE: An early rescue by the Salvage Chief.