BRUNSWICK, Ga. - Cutting operations continue on Section Seven of the Golden Ray wreck.
REMOVAL UPDATE
Wreck removal personnel continue cutting operations to separate Section Seven from the Golden Ray wreck. While the cutting chain has moved almost completely through the wreck, response engineers confirm that thick, structural steel remains in the cut path. Once separated, the section will undergo weight-shedding operations to improve the overall safety of lifting the section onto a barge. Collected data from fixed monitors and hydrographic surveys confirms that the remaining wreck is stable.
Responders removed a total of 67 vehicles and 9 decks from inside the Environmental Protection Barrier.
To learn more about wreck removal operations, please watch this video:
An overview of the remaining cut groove between Section Seven and Section Six of the Golden Ray wreck from the VB-10000 gantry on Thursday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
A rope access technician uses a cutting torch to remove steel along the cut groove during pre-cutting operations on Sunday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Rope access technicians remove steel plating along the cut groove during pre-cutting operations on Monday. St. Simons Sound Incident response video.
Wreck removal personnel inspect Section Seven during cutting operations on Sunday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
The 150-yard safety zone around the EPB is increased to 200 yards for recreational vessels. The UC advises mariners to please steer clear of the perimeter to ensure the safety of our responders and the public. Any unauthorized usage of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs) around the wreck site and near response facilities is discouraged due to safety. UAVs are distractions that can lead to near misses, mishaps and injuries. Responders will report any sightings of drones and drone operators to local authorities.
ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE
Responders recover a glouble of fresh oil during a routine survey of Jekyll Island on Sunday. Once recovered, no further treatment of the sand was necessary. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Shoreline survey teams recover a vehicle bumper from the marsh along the Frederica River during a routine assessment on Monday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
On-water response teams continue to mitigate oil sheens and debris observed around the wreck site. Natural Resource Advisors continue to monitor areas around the wreck site and the Environmental Protection Barrier (EPB) for any wildlife activity or impacts. Survey teams continue to assess the shoreline to find and remove any debris or other environmental impacts. To learn more about the response debris program, watch this video:
If you encounter what you believe is debris from the Golden Ray wreck, please do not handle the debris. Call the Debris Reporting Hotline at (912) 944-5620. Responders evaluate each report, survey the vicinity and recover any shipwreck debris in addition to their daily surveys of the water and the shoreline. If you encounter residual oil on the shoreline or in the water, please call the National Response Center hotline at (800) 424-8802.
The Unified Command (UC) developed a multi-layer approach for observing, surveying, documenting and mitigating any releases of oil or debris during cutting and lifting operations. Recovery personnel are on-station at the Environmental Protection Barrier (EPB), at the shoreline and on the water around the Golden Ray shipwreck. Responders are maintaining protective boom at sensitive locations around St. Simons Sound.
The St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command is the official source of information for the motor vessel Golden Ray response operations.
For more updates, please subscribe for email alerts at https://www.stsimonssoundincidentresponse.com/subscribe
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