Murray company to help with bridge collapse

(AP) — A Murray company is helping salvage operations after a cargo ship stuck a western Kentucky bridge causing a 300-foot section to collapse.

Craig Fortenbery, who is president of Mainstream Commercial Divers, told the Murray Ledger & Times about the aid the company has provided since the Delta Mariner hit Eggners Ferry Bridge last week (http://bit.ly/wLMPdU ).

The bridge connects Trigg and Marshall counties at the western entrance to Land Between the Lakes.

"We did a side-scan sonar survey, as well as an advising survey in areas of the bridge and vessel, in order to help the development of the salvage plan for the bridge, and develop the plan on how to get the bridge off of the vessel," Fortenbery said.

He said further involvement from the company would depend on how the vessel's owner, Foss Maritime, moves forward with its salvage plan.

Foss Maritime spokeswoman Suzanne Lagoni says the company submitted a salvage plan on Sunday to the U.S. Coast Guard and is waiting for a response.

Meanwhile, Kentucky Transportation Department spokesman Keith Todd says specially trained divers will begin on Tuesday examining piers that support the remaining structure.