The capsized car carrier Golden Ray would be disassembled into pieces for safe removal from the site, according to the St. Simons Sound Response.
The Unified Command has completed the lightering of the forward fuel oil tanks onboard the vessel, with more than 225,000 gallons of fuel being removed to date. Lightering of the remaining fuel and lubricant tanks continues.
The officials explained that maritime experts engaged in the response have determined that it is not possible to safely right and refloat the vessel in a fully intact condition. Consequently, Unified Command is developing plans to remove all of the Golden Ray’s hull, components, and cargo by disassembling the vessel in place.
Pollution mitigation and response efforts will continue throughout the duration of the removal operation.
The Hyundai Glovis-operated car carrier started listing heavily after it became disabled in early September in St. Simons Sound near Brunswick, Georgia. Of the 24 persons on board, 20 were evacuated immediately while the remaining four were extracted in a subsequent operation. The vessel was carrying about 4,000 cars bound for the Middle East.