The Golden Ray Battens Down The Hatches As Isaias Approaches

     As we reported on the first day Hurricane Season, the capsized hulk of the Golden Ray car carrier is along the path the storm....just as workers are getting ready to cut her in eight huge pieces:

 

Golden Ray location from www.myshiptracking.com

UPDATE: Response crews prepare for Hurricane Isaias

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command has directed responders to secure all equipment throughout the weekend as Hurricane Isaias tracks along the Atlantic Coast.  While the UC participates in daily weather briefings by the National Weather Service, response crews are implementing heavy weather plans for securing and relocating response equipment to safe havens.

The tugs, barges, and cranes working on the motor vessel Golden Ray will relocate to protected mooring sites. Each of these assets has its own heavy weather plan that has been reviewed and approved by the Unified Command that, when implemented, will ensure the safety of the vessel, its crew, and the public. All personnel will follow guidelines established by local authorities, including evacuation orders.

The VB10,000 heavy lift crane remains at its main port of refuge in Fernandina, Florida where it has been safely moored and is accompanied by tugs.

"As Hurricane Isaias approaches, the safety of our people, the public, and the environment are our foremost concerns. We are securing our vessels and equipment in accordance with our heavy weather plan and will quickly return to our normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Incident Commander, Tom Wiker of Gallagher Marine Systems. “Please be reminded that our environmental protection barrier was engineered to withstand severe weather conditions and that increased currents and water depth due to storm surges associated with hurricanes are not likely to move the vessel from its present location. We encourage residents to respect the safety zone surrounding the Golden Ray and to heed weather reports and port conditions."

The St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command is the official source of information for the motor vessel Golden Ray response operations.

submerged cars in the ship's hold.

As we have reported, there are thousands of new cars on board the Ray, but there are questions about the makes and models. Some reports say they are Kia and Hyundai vehicles, but were assembled in South America, not at the Montgomery Hyundai plant.

The Ray has just left the port of Brunswick, Georgia when it turned over.