MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Hurricane Irma vessel removal operations continue in Florida

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/19/2017 11:32 AM EDT

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MIAMI — The Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF 10) Florida Unified Command continues making progress in its mission to mitigate pollution threats across Florida from vessels displaced by Hurricane Irma.

The Unified Command consists of U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson serving as Incident Commander, Mr. Benjamin Franco, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Incident Commander and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Capt. Chris Roszkowiak, as State On-Scene Coordinator.

The ESF 10 is the framework by which federal support is coordinated with state agencies in response to actual or potential oil spills or hazardous material releases. Partner agencies, including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, are contributing expertise and experience to the assessment and removal efforts.

Click thumbnail below for video.

Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Garza, a marine science technician at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., discusses the process for removing vessels displaced by Hurricane Irma, Oct. 16, 2017. The Unified Command responsible for displaced vessel removal operations is comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. U.S. Coast Guard video by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen

Click thumbnails below for high resolution photographs.

A diver cuts away tangled lines from a vessel sunk and displaced by Hurricane Irma in Boot Key Harbor, Fla., Oct. 16, 2017. Response crews from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency are managing vessel removal operations throughout Florida in response to Hurricane Irma with a priority on vessels leaking fuel or hazardous materials. FEMA photo by J.T. Blatty. A Coast Guardsman oversees vessel removal operations in Boot Key Harbor, Fla., Oct. 16, 2017. Response crews from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency are managing vessel removal operations throughout Florida in response to Hurricane Irma with a priority on vessels leaking fuel or hazardous materials. FEMA photo by J.T. Blatty. Response crews work to remove a submerged vessel in Boot Key Harbor, Fla., Oct. 16, 2017. Response crews from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency are managing vessel removal operations throughout Florida in response to Hurricane Irma with a priority on vessels leaking fuel or hazardous materials. FEMA photo by J.T. Blatty.
A 30-foot sailing vessel sits on stilts in preparation for transport to a staging area in Tampa, Fla., Oct. 16, 2017. The 30-foot sailing vessel was displaced by Hurricane Irma in Boca Ciega Bay near Gulfport, Fla. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen A contractor prepares a 30-foot sailing vessel for transport to a staging area in Tampa, Fla., Oct. 16, 2017. The 30-foot sailing vessel was displaced by Hurricane Irma in Boca Ciega Bay near Gulfport, Fla. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony Grimm, a marine science technician at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., processes a vessel for temporary storage at a Tampa Bay staging area, Oct. 16, 2017. The 30-foot sailing vessel was displaced by Hurricane Irma in Boca Ciega Bay near Gulfport, Fla. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen

Operators with the Vessel Removal Hotline can be reached at 305-985-3744.

Members of the media interested in additional information are asked to contact the Joint Information Center at 305-985-2867.