Unified Command Attampts to Refloat Motor Vessel Montrose BALTIMORE – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Baltimore has established a unified command to re-float the Liberian flagged motor vessel Montrose, grounded two-miles North West of Sharp’s Island, in the Chesapeake Bay. The Unified Command is comprised of the Coast Guard, the Maryland Natural Resource Police and the Maryland Department of the Environment and has reviewed a salvage plan to lighter the vessel. Motia and ECM Maritime Services have contracted Resolve Marine Group to prepare and perform a cargo lightering operation to assist in refloating the vessel. Plans are being prepared in accordance with agency approval to remove an estimated 7500 metric tons of the coal cargo. This process is anticipated to begin over the weekend lasting approximately 36 hours. There have been no reports of injuries or pollution at this time. The crew of the Montrose will remain onboard during the lightering process. The vessel currently has 74,000 metric tons of coal and 55,000 gallons of fuel oil onboard. The Coast Guard Cutter Albacore is enforcing a 500-yd security zone around the motor vessel Montrose. The lightering process will be conducted using a barge with a crane onboard using a clamshell bucket. The Unified Command anticipates coal dust to enter the water during the lightering process. The Unified Command had 2,400-feet of 42-inch boom on stand by in case of emergency. Unified Command Attampts to Refloat Motor Vessel Montrose BALTIMORE – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Baltimore has established a unified command to re-float the Liberian flagged motor vessel Montrose, grounded two-miles North West of Sharp’s Island, in the Chesapeake Bay. The Unified Command is comprised of the Coast Guard, the Maryland Natural Resource Police and the Maryland Department of the Environment and has reviewed a salvage plan to lighter the vessel. Motia and ECM Maritime Services have contracted Resolve Marine Group to prepare and perform a cargo lightering operation to assist in refloating the vessel. Plans are being prepared in accordance with agency approval to remove an estimated 7500 metric tons of the coal cargo. This process is anticipated to begin over the weekend lasting approximately 36 hours. There have been no reports of injuries or pollution at this time. The crew of the Montrose will remain onboard during the lightering process. The vessel currently has 74,000 metric tons of coal and 55,000 gallons of fuel oil onboard. The Coast Guard Cutter Albacore is enforcing a 500-yd security zone around the motor vessel Montrose. The lightering process will be conducted using a barge with a crane onboard using a clamshell bucket. The Unified Command anticipates coal dust to enter the water during the lightering process. The Unified Command had 2,400-feet of 42-inch boom on stand by in case of emergency.
