The Barge 455-8 deballasts because it receives Section Eight, the strict of the Golden Ray wreck. [St. Simons Sound Incident Response photo]
The St. Simons Sound Incident response workforce at this time accomplished the removing of Section Eight, the strict, of the capsized automobile provider Golden Ray.
The heavy elevate vessel VB-10000, which had earlier accomplished the minimize by means of the part, yesterday lifted the part on to the Barge 455-8, This was adopted by ballasting of the barge and sea-fastening operations in a single day. The barge then transited with the part to Mayor’s Point Terminal on Tuesday morning. The part will endure additional sea-fastening on the terminal earlier than transiting aboard the barge to a recycling facility in Louisiana.
On-water response groups recovered oil launched from the wreck throughout lifting operations.
“Due to this cut’s proximity to the engine room, we expected to encounter residual oil/petroleum products inside tanks, piping and machinery which could not be accessed in the fuel removal phase of the response.” mentioned Incident Commander Chris Graff of Gallagher Marine Systems. “The response workforce was totally ready and in place to reply all through the complete minimize and elevate.
“What we observed during this operation is exactly why we have the protection barrier and a dynamic fleet of oil response vessels,” mentioned U.S. Coast Guard Commander Efren Lopez, Federal On-scene Coordinator. “The pollution response team has been refining their operations for months and that paid off with their swift response to the product released from the wreck during the lift.”
“Shoreline teams are out every day to keep our beaches and marshes clear of debris and other impacts” mentioned John Maddox, Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, State On-Scene Coordinator. “A rigorous environmental monitoring program including water quality monitoring and wildlife surveys, is in place to ensure the continued health of St. Simon’s Sound.”
“This cut progressed much faster than the first cut to remove the bow section, but we still see some room for improvement and will continue to refine our operations,” mentioned lead wreck removing contractor T&T Salvage President Mauricio Garrido.
