MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard to hold press briefing for disabled cargo vessel in Brunswick

Media Advisory

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Jacksonville Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Jacksonville Office: 904-714-7606/7607 After Hours: 305-318-1864 PA Detachment Jacksonville online newsroom

Coast Guard to hold press briefing for disabled cargo vessel in Brunswick

 

Members of the media are asked to RSVP with Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard is scheduled to hold a press briefing Sunday, 1:30 p.m. at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Resources Divison Headquarters for the disabled cargo vessel Golden Ray. The press briefing is open to all media members and will inform the public of ongoing Coast Guard operations.

WHO: Capt. John Reed, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Charleston, Cmdr. Norm Witt, Commander of Marine Safety Unit Savannah, and Lt. Lloyd Heflin, Sector Charleston, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator. 

WHAT: Press briefing for disabled cargo vessel Golden Ray operations. 

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Georgia DNR Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520

At approximately 2 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders were notified by the Glynn County 911 dispatch that the M/V GOLDEN RAY had capsized in the St. Simons Sound. The watchstanders immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of multiple Coast Guard assets.

The vessel’s master and chief engineer are assisting authorities and salvage teams to develop plans to stabilize the vessel and continue rescue efforts. The GOLDEN RAY's crew size is 23 people;  there was one pilot aboard. 20 of the 24 people have been rescued.

Coast Guard units involved in the response:

• Two Coast Guard Station Brunswick Response Boat crews 
  
• Two Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews
  
• Coast Guard Cutter Heron launched to assist
  
• Coast Guard Sector Charleston
  
• Marine Safety Unit Savannah
  
• Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team (SERT) launched to assist

The Port of Brunswick Captain of the Port (COTP) has established an emergency safety zone in St. Simons Sound. Vessels are not authorized within .5 miles of the M/V GOLDEN RAY, which is laid over on its side.

Also assisting in the response are the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Moran Towing, SeaTow, Brunswick Bar Pilots Association, and the Glynn County Fire Department.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

-USCG-