Removal of Golden Ray wreck has value “several hundreds of millions of dollars,” says insurer Allianz. [St. Simons Sound Incident Response Photo]
The St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command engaged on the salvage of the capsized automobile service Golden Ray has resumed operations after the passage of Hurricane Isaias. The response has since positioned sources again into place to proceed work.
Due to the potential impression of the Hurricane to the St. Simons Sound space, the Unified Command (USCG, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Gallagher Marine Systems) applied its Heavy Weather Plan which required the repositioning and securing of all response belongings upfront of the storm’s passing.
Although chopping and lifting operations at the moment set for early October, responders proceed a large number of duties in preparation for a protected and profitable elimination of the vessel from St. Simons Sound.
“Our advanced planning for heavy weather paid dividends. We were prepared for Hurricane Isaias and are proud of the quick execution of our Heavy Weather Plan by our response personnel,” stated Cmdr. Efren Lopez, Federal On-Scene Coordinator “There are many plans to execute and a lot of activity still going on as we prepare for the eventual cutting and lifting of the vessel itself.”
On-going operations are as follows:
- Continuously monitor the structural integrity of the Golden Ray
- Maintenance of the Environmental Protection Barrier (EPB)
- Monitoring and upkeep of scour safety across the wreck web site
- Monitoring the wreck for any air pollution launch
- Sustaining an present place of readiness within the occasion of a launch with scheduled on-water restoration drills
- Maintaining firefighting functionality onboard the ship by crew coaching and drills
- Establish sequestered on-water lodging through a vessel on the wreck web site to additional scale back coronavirus publicity to responders.
- Prepare native websites in accordance with a large-scale elimination plan that features putting in vessel berthing/mooring and web site preparation.
The wreck is steady and isn’t anticipated to impression the deep water channel or to industrial ship visitors. A security zone across the EPB surrounding the Golden Ray wreck web site stays in impact to guard the response crews and the general public.
The VB 10,000 heavy-lift, twin-gantry crane (VB 10K), modified particularly for the chopping lifting operation, will stay within the area. VB 10K will ultimately be mobilized to St. Simon’s Sound to start chopping & lifting operations. These operations are anticipated to final for eight weeks from the onset barring any unexpected obstacles.
Responders proceed to observe CDC pointers strictly to restrict coronavirus publicity and have tailored day by day operations accordingly. Measures in place embody day by day well being checks, required sporting of face coverings, safe-distancing and teleworking (at any time when doable), self-quarantines for all incoming members, steady disinfection of amenities and work platforms, and phone tracing protocols when needed. On-site medical advisors continuously revise well being security steerage with respect to new details about the unfold of the illness.
