As the last carrier of its class to be decommissioned, the Kitty Hawk’s destiny is to be towed to Brownsville, Texas by the Foss Maritime Company for scrapping. From the moment it left the naval yard, it became the sole responsibility of the salvage company.
Due to its wide beam, the Kitty Hawk cannot navigate the Panama Canal. Hence, Foss Maritime has the task of taking it all the way down to the tip of South America, through the treacherous Strait of Magellan, and back up to the Gulf Coast. The carrier will be towed by a single tug, the Michelle Foss (not pictured).
This arduous journey is expected to span at least 129 days, covering more than 16,000 miles and involving three separate crews, with changes taking place in Valparaiso and Trinidad. The towing speed will vary between 5 and 8 knots depending on weather conditions.
During port stops, representatives of the salvage company will board the carrier; otherwise, it will remain entirely unmanned throughout the voyage. Salvage crews have spent months preparing the ship, which includes adding a generator to power interior lights, bilge and de-watering pumps, and the motor for the anchor’s windlass in case of an emergency.
Not only is the carrier too wide for the Panama Canal, but it is also too large for any salvage yard on the West Coast of the United States, necessitating the voyage to Texas.
Capturing this event was truly remarkable, although the thick fog limited my ability to capture clear shots above the flight deck, at times even concealing the superstructure entirely. What made this experience even more meaningful than taking photographs was the opportunity to meet and spend time with people involved in the operation. Whether it was fellow photographers, residents of Bainbridge Island, or the incredible Foss family, I learned new names and was introduced to fascinating individuals in a single day, surpassing my experiences over the entire past year. You are all amazing, and I extend my heartfelt thanks for your time and effort.
