The MV Golden Ray, a 200-meter “roll on/roll off” car carrier capsized in St. Simons Sound, Georgia, in September 2019. Prior to commencing wreck removal operations, the Unified Command, comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, State of Georgia, and the ship's owner, required the design and construction of a first-ever, built-for-purpose barrier around the wreck to minimize environmental impacts. The “environmental protection barrier” (EPB) was a major marine construction project involving just-in-time design and approval of a time-critical environmental protection system, the installation of multiple steel pilings adjacent to a navigable waterway, engineering analysis of materials and design methodology, natural resource trustee consultations and approvals, and the completion of an Army Corps of Engineers permitting process that involved myriad stakeholders and a public review process. To meet the Unified Command's objectives, a team of marine construction and environmental response experts designed the EPB, which was comprised of multiple steel pilings, a large-mesh containment screen to prevent large debris from leaving the work area, and a multi-layered floating barrier for surface debris and pollutants. Hydrographic surveyors and aerial observers monitored the EPB continuously during shipwreck cutting, lifting, and pollution response operations for marine life, sunken debris, and floating/non-floating oil. Trained marine life response teams and divers equipped with contaminated diving capabilities were on standby to support marine life as directed by Natural Resource Advisor observers. Operations were conducted in accordance with the Savannah Area Contingency Plan, Natural Resource Trustee Best Management Practices, and the Unified Command's oil spill response, decontamination, waste management and disposal plans, in addition to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulatory requirements.

The MV Golden Ray wreck removal began in January 2020 and was successfully completed in October 2021. The U.S. Coast Guard Incident Commander stated that those involved “accomplished a great feat” and “completed the largest wreck removal in U.S. history.” This paper discusses the MV Golden Ray's EPB design, permitting, construction, operations, and recommendations for future EPB and shipwreck containment systems.

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