Edhat Staff
Update by the U.S. Coast Guard
June 17, 2023
The Coast Guard and the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) completed the salvage operation of the charter passenger vessel Sea Jay near Santa Cruz Island Saturday.
This operation included underwater assessment, re-floating, stabilization, and the safe transfer of the vessel to harbor.
“Our partnerships played a crucial role in the swift response and safe recovery and removal of the vessel. At no time during any phase of the operation were recoverable hydrocarbons present,” said Capt. Ryan Manning, the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. “These actions have successfully mitigated any potential threat to public health and the environment.”
The U.S. Coast Guard, OSPR, and all participating agencies have concluded recovery operations.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Sunken “Sea Jay: fishing boat near Santa Cruz Island (Photo: US Coast Guard)
Sunken Passenger Vessel Removed Near Santa Cruz Island Following Rescue
By the U.S. Coast Guard
June 16, 2023
The Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) have initiated a removal operation following the successful rescue of 14 people who abandoned the charter passenger vessel Sea Jay near Santa Cruz Island.
The operation is led by a seasoned salvage master and supported by a crew of four experienced salvage technicians and divers. Two dedicated recovery vessels, equipped with lift bags, dewatering equipment, and custom rigging, are prepared to handle the vessel recovery. An additional team of three technicians equipped with an oil spill trailer containing 2,000 feet of boom stands ready to respond to potential oil spills.
During the 21-hour removal operation, divers will first assess the underwater condition of the Sea Jay, gathering crucial information to help guide the subsequent steps. Once assessed, the team will then refloat the vessel using dedicated recovery vessels equipped with lift bags, dewatering equipment, and custom rigging.
After successfully refloating, the next priority is to stabilize the vessel to prevent any further damage or sinking. Once stabilized, the Sea Jay will be moved away from Santa Cruz Island to ensure the safety of the local environment. The vessel will then be relocated to a safe harbor, where any products aboard the Sea Jay will be offloaded.
Throughout this complex operation, the U.S. Coast Guard and California OSPR will prioritize the safety of the divers, the efficiency of the operation, and the minimization of environmental impact.
Observers have spotted a sheen near the fully submerged and anchored vessel. The vessel’s diesel fuel tanks have a total capacity of 220 gallons.
“Throughout the removal operations, our primary focus remains on safety, efficiency, and environmental protection,” said Coast Guard Capt. Ryan Manning, the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. “We’re committed to acting swiftly and safely, minimizing environmental impact and prioritizing the wellbeing of all involved. It’s a complex operation, but we’re prepared to handle it with the utmost professionalism and care.”
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
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Wow.
It looks like it got beat up on the rocks.
VERY impressive operation. Not that I’d expect anything less. I am thankful for Coast Guard and the rest of the crews!
Maybe I missed it but can this boat be repaired to be seaworthy again? Thanks
I doubt it would be worth it–all electronics done, wiring done, engines possibly needing significant work if they were running when it sank, etc., etc.. You could certainly fix the hull, but then all you have is a hull and a boat that needs to be pretty much emptied and rebuilt–it would almost certainly cost more than the boat is worth–insurance write off would be my guess.