The Unified Command overseeing the removal of the remains of the Golden Ray at St. Simons Sound has announced that work will be suspended due to the combined impacts of the hurricane season and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The momentary pause will delay the vessel’s cutting and lifting operations until after the hurricane peak season. A team will remain to monitor the wreckage and respond as necessary.
“While we are proud of the fact that our response protocols and response discipline have kept COVID-19 at bay until early July, COVID-19 has finally impacted this response.” Incident Commander Tom Wiker of Gallagher Marine Systems said.
To date, 10 workers have tested positive and more than 50 have been quarantined due to contact tracing, of the approximately 300 employees working on the project.
“The impacts on response personnel justified the Unified Command to reconsider moving forward with complicated cut-and-lift operations as the hurricane peak season approaches,” the Unified Command said in a statement. “COVID-19 has had a full or partial impact on delays in mobilizing response resources in the global supply chain, delays in manufacturing the necessary equipment, such as lifting lugs, and delays in barge modifications. “
“Although COVID-19 and weather conditions during this time of year are two separate issues, they must be considered together as they both relate to the overall success of the project. Separately, these impacts are difficult to manage, but together they create a unique and challenging situation, “added Wiker.
Confirmed cases occur despite measures to limit exposure to COVID-19 which have included daily health checks, the use of face covers, safe distancing and teleworking (whenever possible), quarantines for all incoming members, continuous disinfection of facilities and work platforms. and contact tracking protocols when necessary.
“Pausing operations allows us to reduce the immediate risk of COVID-19 to responders, minimize the combined risks of COVID-19 and bad weather for future operations, and allows us to implement robust and long-term COVID-19 mitigation measures when we resume. ” said the commander. Efren Lopez, Federal Coordinator on Stage. “This operation is unprecedented and we remain committed to reducing risk and ensuring overall success.”
The remains of the Golden Ray remain stable and are not expected to affect the deep water channel or commercial ship traffic. Responders will continue to monitor and maintain the Environmental Protection Barrier (EPB) that has been built around the wreck, as well as 24-hour monitoring of the vessel.
The VB 10,000 heavy lift vessel, which has been specifically modified for the cut lift operation, will remain in the region. The ship will eventually be mobilized to St. Simon’s Sound to begin cutting and lifting operations around October 1.
Cutting and lifting operations are expected to take eight weeks once started, except for unforeseen circumstances.
The Golden Ray was carrying some 4,200 vehicles when it lost stability and landed when it left the Port of Brunswick in September 2019. All vehicles remain within the ship’s cargo holds.
By removing the container, the rescuers have chosen to cut the shipwreck into sections for extraction. The VB-1000’s gantry cranes will use 400-foot chains to cut the overturned Golden Ray ship into eight pieces and lift them onto barges for eventual transportation to Louisiana for recycling.
“All other aspects of the response will remain in place and the pause only refers to the actual cutting and lifting of the sections of the ship. From day one of this response, our priorities have been the safety of the public and all team members, and the preservation of the vast resources and beauty of St. Simons Sound, “said John Maddox, state coordinator on stage. “During these difficult times, we remain committed to a safe and successful removal of the Golden Ray and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we move forward.”
