Fuel to be Removed from Sunken Boat in S.C.

The U.S. Coast Guard contracted the removal of any fuel or hazardous substances that may be aboard the 65-foot motor vessel Wanderer Monday, after the vessel sank in the Intracoastal Waterway at Osprey Marina in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Saturday morning.

Personnel at Coast Guard Sector Charleston were notified of the sunken vessel and directed pollution responders to investigate further.

The vessel Wanderer was found partially submerged at the pier and was actively sheening diesel fuel. The responsible party made initial efforts to mitigate the spread of pollution to the local waterways by having an absorbent boom deployed around the vessel and dock. Horry County Fire and Rescue and Towboat US recovered or removed a total of seven 55-gallon drums and two 50-gallon fuel tanks from the vessel. According to the owner, no other source of fuel remains on board. All residual pollutants remain contained within the boom and are being recovered using absorbent padding.

The Coast Guard contracted Intracoastal Environmental to remove any fuel that may still remain aboard or in surrounding waters. The owner of the vessel is working with Seatow and Towboat U.S. to conduct salvage operations.

The Wanderer is the second vessel to sink and cause sheening in surrounding waters in South Carolina during the holiday weekend. The 45-foot boat Miss Caroline sank at a pier in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Thursday morning. Due to the owner's inability to salvage the vessel, the Coast Guard contracted a local salvage company Saturday to raise the boat and remove any remaining fuel.

uscgnews.com