Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Oil From Capsized Golden Ray Washing Up On Jekyll, St. Simons Islands

Bill Bortzfield
/
WJCT News
The capsized Golden Ray carrier ship is pictured on September 28, 2019, in the St. Simons Sound.

Coastal Georgia’s public health department is warning beachgoers to watch out for oil from a capsized cargo ship.

Sticky globules of oil leaking from the Golden Ray have been washing up on the beaches of St. Simons and Jekyll islands and an oily sheen can be seen on the water.

Mopping up efforts began Monday.

Public health officials are warning people not to fish or swim in areas where they see oil. They also ask that any oil be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

The Golden Ray was carrying thousands of vehicles when it rolled over on its side shortly after leaving the Port of Brunswick in September 2019.

Demolition crews are cutting the vessel into large pieces which will be taken away by barge.

Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.

Cyd Hoskinson began working at WJCT on Valentine’s Day 2011.