18 July 2021: In the interest of keeping our audience informed, this Brunswick GA article from Sunday 18 July is worth a look. We have offered news on the Golden Ray wreck almost since it occurred and will continue to do so until the salvage folks finish their monumental task.
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The towering crane being used to saw apart an overturned cargo ship along the Georgia coast has paused work for maintenance and repairs.
Salvage crews have removed nearly two-thirds of the Golden Ray in five giant chunks since demolition began in November. The remaining 227 feet (70 meters) of the shipwreck will be cut into three huge pieces.
lifting a section from wreck
But first, the towering crane used to straddle the shipwreck and tear
through its hull with 400 feet (122 meters) of anchor chain has to undergo
maintenance. The giant pulleys that help to force the chain through the hull
like a dull saw are being lowered for inspection and replacement as needed, The
Brunswick News reported.
Thousands of feet of wiring inside the crane are also being checked, said Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Himes, a spokesman for the multi-agency command overseeing the demolition.
"They’re going through the whole system to inspect for wear and tear and to recommend any needed repairs,” said Himes, who estimated the maintenance work could wrap by the end of the coming week.
The South Korean-owned Golden Ray capsized with more than 4,200 automobiles in its cargo decks shortly after departing the Port of Brunswick on Sept. 8, 2019. Investigators later concluded the ship tipped over because unstable loading had left its center of gravity too high.
The entire crew was rescued safely, but the ship was deemed a total loss. Demolition began in November and progress has been slower than officials predicted. Dismantling of the ship reached the halfway mark with removal of the fourth section in April. The fifth and latest chunk was cut away in early July.
Himes said cutting will resume once inspections and maintenance on the crane are complete.
The demolition and cleanup are being
closely watched by environmental groups. A large fire sparked by a worker's
cutting torch broke out inside the shipwreck in May, sending thick black smoke
into the air. The flames were doused with boat-mounted water canons and no one
was injured.
Fire slows progress
A large amount of oil and fuel leaked into St. Simons Sound when the latest section of the ship was removed. Some of the leaked fuel escaped a containment barrier around the wreck. Crews cleaned up the spill with oil skimmers and absorbent boom.
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Truly a mess by any standards, but they are making progress in getting this situation resolved. More as it develops.
Until next time,
Fair Winds,
Old Salt
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