Workers on the VB-10000 maintain a polyethylene Dyneema mooring line closely chafed from making contact with Environmental Protection Barrier. The mooring traces maintain the heavy-lift vessel in place over the Golden Ray wreck. [St. Simons Sound Incident Response Photo]
St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command (UC) responders are monitoring climate forecasts, together with the specter of extreme climate related to Tropical Storm Eta, to establish a climate window for reducing and lifting of the primary part of the wreck of the capsized automotive automotive service Golden Ray.
Meantime, they proceed to face—and repair—issues that emerge because the advanced salvage operation continues.
Among points encountered was heavy chafing of the mooring traces securing the heavy raise vessel VB-10000 as a consequence of contact with the Environmental Protection Barrier (EPB) surrounding the wreck web site.
The answer? Responders fabricated and put in anti-chafing gear flanges across the EPB and put in anti-chafing covers across the mooring traces to mitigate chafing and make sure the security of responders.
Line inspectors deemed the repaired traces protected to be used and responders reoriented sections of the EPB to permit for extra motion of mooring traces with out compromising the efficacy of the barrier.
“Our personnel are continuously working to solve each issue that emerges as we prepare for cutting and lifting the first section of the Golden Ray,” stated U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Efren Lopez, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, “The pace of the entire removal operation will be dictated by our prudence and commitment to safety as we encounter known, unknown and unprecedented challenges as well as continue to experience weather impacts. We are grateful for the continued patience of the community.”
The 150-yard security zone across the Environmental Protection Barrier has been elevated to 200 yards for leisure vessels. The UC advises mariners to keep away from the perimeter. Officials prohibit any unauthorized use of drones across the wrecksite. Responders will report any sightings of drones and drone operators to native authorities.
