POINT PLEASANT BEACH — A second salvage attempt is underway for the 77-foot commercial fishing vessel Susan Rose, which sank one year ago off Point Pleasant Beach, according to agencies overseeing the operation.
“The salvage operation is intended to re-float and remove the Susan Rose, which sank approximately 3,000 feet offshore during an attempt by salvors to remove the vessel two days after it grounded on the beach last November,” according to a press release prepared last week by the partner agencies managing the salvage operation.
“The salvage will involve the anchoring of a large crane barge over the vessel’s location and is expected to last for approximately seven days,” it states. “All fuel, approximately 6,000 gallons, was removed from the vessel before it sank. Less than 100 gallons of oil products (are) estimated to remain sealed inside the vessel.”
The partner agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Office of Emergency Management and the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.
Resolve Marine, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Northstar Marine, based in Clermont, are handling the salvage operation. Northstar Marine oversaw the first salvage attempt.
The Susan Rose, sailing out of Point Judith, Rhode Island, ran aground in Point Pleasant Beach in the early morning hours of Nov. 17, 2023 amid waves topping six feet high. Fire personnel from Point Pleasant Beach were able to rescue the four people aboard at the time of the grounding, without incident, prior to the arrival of a rescue helicopter.
The partner agencies’ release said that there is no anticipated negative environmental impact from the salvage, but that cleanup crews were on standby if discharge of fuel or other chemicals was detected.
“No environmental impact is anticipated to occur during this salvage,” said the release, “however pollution mitigation equipment will be readily deployed if any discharge is detected. The barge and its anchoring points will be lit at night throughout the salvage operation. The U.S. Coast Guard will establish a safety zone around the salvage operation and will keep mariners apprised by publishing Local Notice to Mariners at the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay’s homeport webpage and by broadcasting notices to mariners over VHF (very high frequency) channel 16 at regular intervals.”
“The U.S. Coast Guard requests that mariners remain at least 500 yards from the salvage operation and transit the area with caution at the slowest speed to maintain navigation and minimize wake,” the release stated. “Once raised, the vessel will be assessed and a determination will be made as to its future. The cause of the Susan Rose grounding and sinking is under investigation.”
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