BRUNSWICK, Ga. - Responders lifted Section Two of the Golden Ray wreck onto the Barge JULIE B on Tuesday.
Responders lift and lower Section Two of the Golden Ray wreck onto the Barge JULIE B and commence ballasting operations. St. Simons Sound Incident response video.
The section will undergo preliminary sea-fastening for a transit to a response facility at Mayors Point Terminal in Brunswick, Ga. Once secured for ocean transit, the JULIE B will depart Brunswick enroute to the ship recycling facility in Louisiana.
Following the removal of Section Two, the VB-10000 will prepare to resume cutting Section Seven. Divers continue operations to insert the cutting chain back into the cut groove for Section Seven. Response engineers continue to collect data from fixed monitors and hydrographic surveys and they confirm that the wreck remains stable.
Response managers from the U.S. Coast Guard, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Gallagher Marine Systems observe Section Two lifting operations. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
A responder monitors Section Two of the Golden Ray wreck as it contacts the custom-made cradle on board the Barge JULIE B. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Responders begin preparations to remove Section Two by barge from the St. Simons Sound. 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 clear marsh rack from around the Environmental Protection Barrier during Section Two lifting operations. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Responders deploy pre-staged protective boom near King Creek along St. Simons Island to mitigate potential environmental impacts during Section Two lifting operations. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
A responder recovers debris in the vicinity of the Golden Ray wreck site during Section Two lifting operations. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Responders continue to observe and recover oil sheens and debris on the water around the wreck site. Natural Resource Advisers continue to monitor wildlife and marine life in the vicinity response operations. 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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