[Watch] 3 More Cuts, Golden Ray wreck Halfway Mark

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  • The demolition of an overturned cargo ship in the St. Simons Sound is halfway done after a fourth section of the Golden Ray was sliced, separated and lifted from the wreck.
  • After the major milestone was reached, News4Jax on Monday went out on a boat with the St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command to learn more about the removal process up close.
  • Lifejackets were available for every passenger aboard in the event of an emergency.

A recent News4jax news source by Brittany Muller reveals that crews provide up-close look at Golden Ray wreck as removal process reaches halfway point.

Golden Ray capsized in September 2019

Since the Golden Ray capsized in September 2019 with 4,200 vehicles in its cargo decks, the ship is half its original length of 656 feet.

The fourth section, which contained the engine room, that was removed from the wreck has been lifted above the water, and crews are getting ready to place it on a barge.

It will first make a stop at Mayors Point Terminal for sea-fastening before heading to a recycling plant in Louisiana.

“This has been the most difficult section so far because of the reinforced compartments that we had to cut through,” said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Efren Lopez.

To restore Sound its original condition

Lopez said responders have seen the most oil seen with this latest cut. A helicopter is monitoring for oil above. That helps direct boats where to go in the St. Simons Sounds for cleanup inside and outside the environmental protection barrier.

“Our plan is — always been — to restore the Sound to its original condition,” Lopez said.

Tom Wiker, Gallagher Marine Systems incident commander, said additional layers to help with that plan include using drones for monitoring, debris recovery and using skimmers for shoreline cleanup assessment.

The following has taken place

  • 1,000 cars have been removed.
  • 25,000 feet of boom is deployed.
  • Crews monitor the shoreline by walking 150 miles per week.
  • 7,500 responders have been through the site, and only 30 people have tested positive for COVID-19 — less than 0.5%.

“This is due to, greatly to, the performance of our team, our COVID medical advisor and our safety officers. They have responded immediately to address any COVID incidents and to ensure the safety of all of our responders,” Lopez said.

“During the entire time here from the response, we’ve had to deal with severe weather,” Lopez said. “We closely monitor all approaching dangerous storms.”

An expert said during a hearing in September that a U.S. Coast Guard analysis found the Golden Ray overturned because of unstable loading.

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Source: News4jax