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Plans underway to recover hazardous materials from grounded fishing boat
COCOS ISLAND, Guam—The unified command confirmed plans for the recovery of hazardous materials from the grounded fishing vessel in an effort to mitigate impact to the marine environment.
The vessel owner’s representative has taken the lead for recovery of hazardous materials and salvage of the vessel. The vessel owner’s representative has coordinated for response personnel to be on-scene with the vessel on Aug. 6, 2014. Response personnel will begin the process of removing 45 five gallon containers located on the vessel’s upper deck. The containers hold various amounts of lube and hydraulic oils. Response personnel will also determine the amount of fuel in the fuel tank and identify any other hazardous material that needs to be removed.
Once environmental concerns have been addressed, response personnel will execute the salvage plan to remove the vessel from the reef. A salvage plan is being developed by the owner for presentation and approval by the Federal On-scene Coordinator and Guam Environmental Protection Agency. The FOSC is Commander Coast Guard Sector Guam.
Citizens are reminded that the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Guam has established a 400-yard safety zone around the grounded vessel. This is an exclusion zone and mariners are not authorized within the zone at any time. Entering the zone is a violation of federal law. Mariners, recreational boaters and persons are advised to exercise extreme caution in the vicinity around the safety zone due to the dangers associated with a grounded vessel.
The unified command includes the Guam EPA, the vessel owner’s representative, and FOSC. (USCG)
