UPDATE 6: Crews continue to mitigate pollution threats from vessels displaced by Hurricane Irma

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/23/2017 12:27 PM EDT

united states coast guard

 

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

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MIAMI — Cleanup efforts of displaced vessels are progressing throughout Florida waterways six weeks after Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys.

Nearly 230 people from state and federal agencies are involved in the disaster response.

The Unified Command for the response—officially titled Emergency Support Function 10 Florida—consists of leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

As the focus of the response is on safety of human life and environmental protection, vessel owners are encouraged to hire a professional salvage company in order to provide the safest method possible.

“Owners of displaced vessels are urged to wear closed-toe shoes and a life jacket if they’re considering going aboard to retrieve personal belongings,” said Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson, Coast Guard Incident Commander for ESF10 Florida. “It is also advised to have a safety observer present.”

Responders are prioritizing the removal of vessels based on environmental impact.

“We deploy trained Natural Resource Advisors to monitor operations in sensitive habitats or near wildlife that is threatened or endangered,” said Timyn Rice, the Environmental Unit Leader for ESF10 Florida. "We've consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, FWC, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to establish best management practices to avoid environmental impacts during removal operations."

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

These updated figures represent a combination of displaced vessels removed from the water by ESF10 Florida and private owners. These numbers are subject to fluctuate as more owners salvage their vessels.

Chart courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Miami Branch: 46 personnel

Vessel Removal Status

  • Vessels removed: 44

Operational Highlights

  • Two vessel staging areas established:
    • Watson Island
    • Seminole Boat Ramp
Chart courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

St. Petersburg Branch: 39 personnel

Vessel Removal Status

  • Vessels removed: 181

Operational Highlights

  • Finalizing plan to remove a 34-foot sailboat partially blocking a residential canal in Cape Coral
Chart courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Jacksonville Branch: 39 personnel

Vessel Removal Status

  • Vessels removed: 50

Operational Highlights

  • Vessel removal operations continue on the Trout River
Chart courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Florida Keys Branch: 125 personnel

Vessel Removal Status

  • Vessels removed: 954

Operational Highlights

  • Aerial assessments scheduled mid-week for Middle Keys and Dry Tortugas

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.

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