The National Geographic Channel will debut a new reality series dealing with the dangerous salvage of shipwrecks around the world.  Currently scheduled to be aired on European National Geographic Channel affiliates, this five-part series, “Salvage Code Red“, will follow the exploits of  William Stender III and  his Titan shipwreck salvage  crew as they respond to shipwreck emergencies to clear valuable shipping channels, avoid economic disaster, prevent environmental damage, and generally clean us the mess left behind when large ships accidentally meet their final resting place.

The National Geographic Channel was first drawn to the world of shipwreck salvage during the filming of  the popular series “The Deadliest Catch” in the Bering Sea.  While shooting film for this very popular series, the camera crew noticed the ongoing work to salvage the shipwreck of the Cougar Ace, a ship that was loaded with 4,700 Mazda automobiles headed for North America.  When the ship floundered, the United States Coast Guard ferried members of the Titan salvage crew over 300 miles out to sea to access the situation.  After pumping the water from the ship and sitting her upright, Stender and his crew towed her ashore.  While much of the cargo was undamaged, all of the automobiles were sold for scrap, and another oceanic disaster was averted.

National Geographic followed the Titan crew for 3 years of filming all over the world, as they tackled various ship salvage tasks with expertise, engineering skill, and a keen sense of the ocean and how it works.  The series will show the trials and massive challenges of shipwreck salvage work all over the world.  The rugged good looks of the leader of this skilled group, shipwreck expert William Stender III, only serves to enhance the image of the rugged types of men that perform this type of work.

The five-part series is now showing on National Geographic Channel in Europe.   We will be watching closely to see if the series is added to the North American National Geographic Channel lineup.   You can click the link to read more about the National Geographic  show “Salvage Code Red“.

Phil Ellis

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