U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Bacon.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Josh Rice, a machinery technician with the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force, ensures safe salvage operations aboard the motor vessel Golden Ray in Brunswick, Ga, Sept. 17, 2019. The Saint Simons Sound Unified Command is developing plans to remove fuel from the vessel and construct a long-term salvage plan for a complex situation.
U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Bacon.
Petty Officer 1st Class Phil McLeod, an electrician’s mate with the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force, checks air quality upon arrival at the motor vessel Golden Ray in Brunswick, Ga, Sept. 17, 2019. The Saint Simons Sound Unified Command is developing plans to remove fuel from the vessel and construct a long-term salvage plan for a complex situation.
U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Bacon.
A salvage team drills into the hull of the motor vessel Golden Ray in Brunswick, Ga, Sept. 17, 2019. The Saint Simons Sound Unified Command is developing plans to remove fuel from the vessel and construct a long-term salvage plan for a complex situation.
U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Bacon.
A contracted salvage crewman attached to the Saint Simons Sound Unified Command, rappels down the hull of the motor vessel Golden Ray in Brunswick, Ga, Sept. 17, 2019. The Saint Simons Sound Unified Command is developing plans to remove fuel from the vessel and construct a long-term salvage plan for a complex situation.
Date: 9.18.19 Contact: Joint Information Center (912) 944-7122
The Unified Command continues to assess all avenues for the salvage plan and the process to remove pollutants from the Golden Ray. Complex salvage operations have progressed to include skimming within the hull of the ship, drilling to allow access for internal air quality testing, and developing a lightering plan for pollutants.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
Specialists are actively monitoring air quality around and inside the vessel and the surrounding areas. No impacts on air quality have been detected to date. A water-quality monitoring plan is being finalized, and members of the public are encouraged to monitor the Department of Public Health website for any advisories that may be in effect.
ENVIRONMENT
Response teams continue to canvas the shoreline and have identified minimal to no environmental impacts within the area. As of now there are approximately 180 responders attached to the Unified Command and 30 vessels assisting in the response. Environmental inspection teams are continuously scanning the shoreline by air, boat, and foot, looking for evidence of oil. 5,300 feet of boom have been deployed surrounding Bird Island, and 18,400 feet of boom is strategically staged for use as needed.
ECONOMIC
Commercial traffic in the Port of Brunswick has resumed on a case by case basis. A claims number has been established for those who have been affected by the incident: (888) 850-8486.