BRUNSWICK, Ga. - Wreck removal personnel completed transloading Section Three to the Barge Julie B on Sunday. The final section of the wreck will be removed once Section Six is transloaded to the Julie B.
REMOVAL UPDATE
Wreck removal personnel transloaded Section Three of the Golden Ray wreck from a dry-dock barge to the Barge Julie B over the weekend and tug crews transited the barge to Mayor’s Point Terminal on Sunday. Section Three was previously cut and lifted onboard a dry-dock barge in July. Responders are making preparations to transload Section Six from another dry-dock barge to the Julie B following which the two sections will transit together to a recycling facility in Louisiana.
During transloading operations on Saturday, the Julie B allided with the side of one of the VB-10000 pontoons. The VB-10000 did not sustain damage. Marine safety inspectors and response engineers assessed a 12-inch long by 4-inch wide crack in the side shell plating of the port bow of the Julie B above the waterline and repaired the damage on Monday.
Tugs prepare to position a dry-dock barge loaded with Section Three of the Golden Ray wreck under the VB-10000 during transloading operations on Friday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Rope-access Technicians fit custom-made Dyneema grommets suspended from the VB-10000 lifting beams to the lifting lugs of Section Three during transloading operations on Friday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
The VB-10000 holds Section Three of the Golden Ray wreck as tugs move the Barge Julie B into position underneath the section during transloading operations on Saturday. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
Tugs maneuver the Barge Julie B underneath Section Three of the Golden Ray wreck during transloading operations on Saturday. St. Simons Sound Incident response video.
The Barge Julie B docked at Mayor’s Point Terminal on Sunday loaded with Section Three of the Golden Ray wreck. Once the wreck removal team transloads another section to the barge, it will transit with the wreck sections to a recycling facility in Louisiana. The barge is 400 feet long with a 130-foot beam and can carry loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot. St. Simons Sound Incident response photo.
The 150-yard safety zone around the EPB is increased to 200 yards for any non-response vessel not transiting inside the shipping channel. The Unified Command (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
Survey teams continue to recover debris along shorelines and from marsh areas in the vicinity of the wreck site. All debris is sorted, catalogued and disposed of according to the response debris plan. 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.
Shoreline assessment teams survey over 100 miles of shoreline and marsh areas weekly for any oil impacts. If you encounter residual oil on the shoreline or in the water, call the National Response Center hotline at (800) 424-8802.
Wildlife assessment teams continue to survey marsh areas and beaches throughout St. Simons Sound for any potential wildlife impacts. Oiled wildlife sightings have been minimal over the past month. If you encounter any oiled wildlife, do not attempt to capture it and report the sighting by calling (800) 261-0980.
Beaches remain open to the public and the Department of Health urges beach-goers to remain vigilant. For current beach and fishing safety information, please visit the Georgia Coast Health District website at the Georgia Coast Health District website.
On-water response teams maintain a 24-hour watch around the Golden Ray and they deploy pre-staged equipment and personnel to mitigate any oil discharges, sheens and debris observed. To learn more about the response on-water oil recovery program, watch this video Subject Matter Expert Overview – On-Water Oil Recovery Operations
Safety personnel continue to measure air quality in the community using stationary and mobile air monitoring equipment. Community air quality analysis and water sample analysis continues to confirm no exceedances of air and water quality standards. To learn more about the Air and Water quality monitoring program, watch this video Subject Matter Expert Overview – Air and Water Quality Monitoring
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, 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 Golden Ray wreck removal and response operations.
For more updates, please subscribe for email alerts at https://www.stsimonssoundincidentresponse.com/subscribe
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