The USCG contracted Resolve Marine Group to research and assess the proportion of oil remaining on the Coimbra wreck, located approximately 30 miles southeast of Shinnecock, N.Y. In the possibility that the oil remaining in the area is substantial and feasible, USCG will cooperate with Resolve to remove the oil from the wreck, with the goal to mitigate the possibilities of pollution to the environment.
Specifically, the operation took place from April 28 to May 30.
The first assess will focus on the condition of the tanker and the potential environmental impact; based on the findings, USCG and Resolve will proceed to the removal operations. During the operation, boaters are requested to keep a safe distance of 500 yards from the dive operation.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
Capt. Kevin Reed, commander Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound reported
This assessment will help determine, and possibly remove any potential environmental threat the tanker poses. Our top priorities are safety of the public and protection of the marine environment.
The team consists of members of the Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Coast Guard District One Response Advisory Team, Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Environmental Management, and Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team.
Concluding, the Coimbra was a supply ship owned by Great Britain when the ship was sunk off the coast of Long Island, during World War II by a German U-boat.
