BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) As round the clock work at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park enters a second week to right the partially submerged USS Sullivans, efforts by crews appear to be picking up speed.
Naval Park President and CEO Paul Sullivan tells WBEN a dive operation began Wednesday to inspect the hull of the partially submerged ship.
"This is not the kind of diving that involves wearing a scuba tank," said Marzello. "These are divers with a hard hat, a big, heavy metal contraption that sits on their shoulders. They have about 600 feet of unlimited, surface-supplied air. They also have wet suits as well as head lamps and video cameras."
Marzello said the divers have yet to find the source of the breach in the hull.
Visibility is poor from the murky water that has been churned up by recent wind and rain.
Conditions were not favorable for any underwater diving on Thursday.
"We could really use a break," said Marzello. "Strong winds are not our friend.
Wind creates havoc and presents danger to our divers. Temperatures are not bad, (in the 50's). Rain doesn't matter to the divers, just the wind. The safety of our divers is the number one concern," he added.
There has been progress by Bidco Marine Salvage in removing leaking oil and other debris. "So far, 7,510 gallons of oil mixture has been removed. Nine cubic yards of oil debris and 2,920 gallons of water has been pumped from the hull of the ship," said Marzello.
Crews have started pumping water out two hull compartments in the forward part of the ship, which the Naval Park President considers a sign of progress.
As some compartments are pumped out, the naval architect who is on-site, may order other compartments to be filled with water in order to balance the ship, so it can be raised without any undue stress.
Regarding an updated timeline for correcting the listing and getting the historic ship floating again, Marzello said everybody wants to know how long this is going to take. "I will say that discussions have been circled around weeks, rather than days or months."
The Liberty Hound restaurant has re-opened at the Naval Park. "I'm giving a shameless plug to Liberty Hound," said Marzello. "Their patio is the best seat in town for viewing the ship. The U.S. Coast Guard has given approval for customers to go out on the patio and look down at the rescue mission. It's a safe spot and a popular spot."
SavetheSullivans.org is available for people who want to donate to the effort.
WBEN/Brayton Wilson
Latest USS The Sullivans updates as of 12n April 21, 2022:
- Weather conditions deteriorated from the previous day. Strong winds gusting up to 40 MPH have slowed progress.
- Security of the site and workers is primary and a site safety plan is in place
- Ship list is stable at 15.4 degrees to the starboard side.
- A United States Coast Guard drone operator from Cleveland is on site and was using a drone to take images and video of the site to evaluate the shoreline and any contamination
- The containment boom around the stern has been tightened to allow for the Liberty Hound patio to be opened
- 7,510 gallons of oily waste and 9 cubic yards of oily debris to date
- 11,420 gallons of water were pumped from the bow of the ship.
- Bow is now sitting 6" off the bottom of the river where the ship is moored.
- United States Coast Guard is using an ROV (remotely operated vehicle - underwater drone) to capture footage of the damage control process.
- BIDCO teams have added a gangway from the pier to the stern of the ship for worker access
- Divers in the water today and are continuing their hull survey and inspection
- Divers plugged 5 holes in the hull in the 2"to 3" size
- T&T Marine has added two new team members. They are using the information gathered and developing an entry plan to safely enter the ship.
