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Press Release | Oct. 22, 2023

Multimedia Release: Fuel removal operations begin for Bonnie G off St. Thomas 

Editor's Note: Email bonniegresponse@gmail.com for all inquiries.   

A ¼ mi. safety zone is in place around the Bonnie G. Please give the crew a safe area to work.  

Find all U.S. Coast Guard Southeast imagery on Dvids.  

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas – Fuel removal operations started for the Bonnie G, Sunday, after the Harvey Challenger’s crew arrived on scene at approximately 6 a.m., off Cyril E. King Airport.  

Pollution responders and salvors spent the morning rigging and connecting fuel hoses (black), air hoses (blue), and pumps from the Bonnie G to the Harvey Challenger. The fuel is being pumped with air compressors from the Bonnie G to three large tanks mounted to the deck of the Harvey Challenger.  

All precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of the responders and so fuel doesn’t go into the water.  

The Coast Guard implemented a ¼ mile safety zone around the vessel to ensure our responders have a safe area to work. Vessel operators choosing to violate the safety zone could impede fuel removal and refloating operations causing a delay in the vessel removal from the area. 

After all the fuel is removed, the next step is to refloat the vessel safely and then bring the vessel to in for repair or salvage. That destination is still being decided. 

To read the previous releases related to this response, please visit our newsroom.    

To keep updated on the latest information please follow us on X (formally Twitter) @USCGSoutheast or on Facebook @U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan.    

-USCG-


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