If you’ve crossed the Riverside Bridge in Hoquiam since Wednesday afternoon you’ve noticed the large crane on a barge in the middle of the Hoquiam River to the north.

The Quigg Bros. barge and crane were brought in to assist Associated Underwater Services in bringing the Lady Grace to the surface.

The 80-foot fishing vessel sank nearly two years ago. Funds for removal were made available last year through the Department of Natural Resources Derelict Vessel Program. Attempts to raise the vessel in late February were unsuccessful as it was discovered the wooden hull was severely damaged, and the Grace was lying on top of another sunken vessel. It was decided then to bring in a crane, which was not available until just before its arrival at the scene Wednesday.

Thursday morning crews attached lines to the mast of the vessel, bringing a portion of the mast above the surface for the first time in months. Airbags were inflated at the bow and stern, but after the mast appeared around 8:45 a.m. the stubborn Lady Grace remained at the bottom.

Around noon Thursday a Quigg Bros. employee arrived at the scene and said the Grace, if things go well, could be out of the water by about noon Friday as more airbags were being attached by divers to the vessel to help lift it off the bottom.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP A Quigg Bros. crane on a barge attempts to bring the Lady Grace off the bottom of the Hoquiam River.