BRUNSWICK, Ga. - Responders begin cutting operations on Section Two of the Golden Ray wreck.
Removal Update
Responders commenced cutting operations to separate Section Two from the Golden Ray wreck on Sunday. The Barge JULIE B is expected to arrive in Brunswick, Ga. this week and will receive Section Two once the section is separated and lifted. Response engineers continue to collect data from fixed monitors and hydrographic surveys and they confirm that the wreck remains stable.
The cutting chain progresses up the side of the Golden Ray wreck during cutting operations Sunday morning. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Responders position ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene slings around grommets on the lifting lugs of Section Two during operations to attach the VB-10000 to the Golden Ray wreck. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Responders on the topside of the Golden Ray wreck assist with rigging the cutting apparatus prior to cutting operations. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Responders attach the cutting chain to the cutting apparatus on the VB-10000 during preparations to separate Section Two from the Golden Ray wreck. 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 monitor the vicinity around the Golden Ray wreck for any signs of pollution during cutting operations. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Responders continue to observe and recover oil sheens and debris on the water around the wreck site. Survey teams continue to assess the shoreline to find and remove any debris or other environmental impacts. 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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