The VB-10000 reaches the Port of Fernandina in Florida, July 3, 2020. UNITED STATE Coast Guard Photo

The hefty lift vessel VB10000 will certainly quickly head toSt Simons Sound in Georgia where it will certainly get ready for reducing as well as raising procedures in the salvage of the Golden Ray wreckage.

The vessel is anticipated to get here as early as following Tuesday, climate allowing.

The U.S.-flagged VB10000 has actually been being planned for work at the Port of Fernandina,Florida The vessel’s team has actually been withdrawed inside a “bubble” in order to reduce their COVID-19 direct exposure in advance of the procedure.

“The arrival of the VB10,000 has been highly anticipated. It’s a very capable asset implementing the latest in heavy-lifting technology for marine environments,” claimedCmdr Efren Lopez, Federal On-Scene Coordinator “The vessel is a critical component to our removal plan that ensures the safety of our responders and the public as we move forward and remove the Golden Ray.”

The VB10000 will certainly reduce the wreckage right into 8 areas inside a currently developed Environmental Protection Barrier as well as raise the areas onto a barge for transportation to a reusing center.

A 150-yard safety and security area around the EPB has actually been developed as well as sailors are encouraged to avoid the boundary. Also, authorities are informing the general public that unapproved use drones is forbidden around the wrecksite. Responders will certainly report any type of discoveries of drones as well as drone drivers to neighborhood authorities.

The Golden Ray was lugging concerning 4,200 automobiles when it shed security as well as based as it left the Port of Brunswick greater than a year ago in September 2019. All automobiles stay inside the ship’s freight holds.

The salvage procedure, among the biggest aquatic salvages in UNITED STATE background, has actually up until now encountered a number of obstacles, consisting of the COVID-19 pandemic which required the suspension of on-site operate in July after a number of employees examined favorable for the infection. More just recently, a concern with the mooring system of VB10000 additionally postponed the procedure by a number of weeks.

The Unified Command managing the reaction has actually claimed formerly that the cutting as well as training procedure is anticipated to take 8 weeks.