BRUNSWICK, Ga. - Responders resume cutting operations on Section Seven of the Golden Ray wreck.
REMOVAL UPDATE
Cutting operations to separate Section Seven of the Golden Ray wreck resumed over the weekend. Divers successfully placed the new cutting chain into the existing groove on the hull-side of the wreck. Along the deck-side of the wreck, response engineers have established new cut line due to underwater interferences which prevented divers from inserting the chain into the existing cut groove. Responders continue to periodically pause cutting operations to inspect equipment and make adjustments when necessary. Collected data from fixed monitors and hydrographic surveys confirms that the wreck remains stable.
The Barge Julie B departed the Port of Brunswick on Saturday with Section Two enroute to a recycling facility in Louisiana.
A rope access technician cuts away strips of plate steel along the cutting chain path on Sunday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
An image of the chain progression along the deck-side portion of Section Seven on Monday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Technicians inspect cuts along the projected groove between Sections Three and Four of the Golden Ray wreck during pre-cutting operations on Sunday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
The Tug Kurt J Crosby pulls Section Two of the Golden Ray wreck aboard the Barge Julie B out of the Port of Brunswick on Saturday enroute to a recycling facility in Louisiana. 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 with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research release a rehabilitated laughing gull on Saturday. St. Simons Sound Incident response video.
St. Simons Sound Incident response environmental unit leader Scott Jackson of Gallagher Marine Systems explains the Debris Assessment and Recovery Technique system implemented by the response. St. Simons Sound Incident response Video.
Response vessels implement sorbent boom outriggers during routine pollution monitoring and recovery operations around the Golden Ray wreck site on Tuesday. Each vessel is outfitted with equipment to respond dynamically to any observations of oil material or debris. 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 Advisors continue to survey the response area of responsibility (AOR) from the wrecksite and the Environmental Protection Barrier (EPB) to the shoreline as well as accompany each debris trawler to monitor for any marine animal or wildlife impacts. 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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