Successful Refloating and Tow of Cargo Ship in US Virgin Islands

The Bonnie G Cargo ship, which ran aground in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands on October 4, has been successfully refloated and towed to a safe harbor. Salvage crews from various organizations, including the Coast Guard and Playland Marine, worked together to remove the damaged cargo and remaining oil from the ship. Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Flowers commended the collective efforts to protect the pristine waters of the US Virgin Islands and prevent environmental impacts.

The roll-on/roll-off cargo ship was carrying over 13,000 gallons of diesel and 700 gallons of lube oil, along with several vehicles and cargo. To protect the environment, responders collaborated with pollution cleanup teams to remove hazardous materials from the vessel before refloating it. DonJon-SMIT provided a detailed plan prioritizing the safety of the vessel, responders, public, and marine environment.

Salvors prepared the necessary equipment and performed tests to prevent water from entering the ship’s chambers. After ballasting and pressurization, tugboats successfully freed the ship and towed it to a safe harbor. The Coast Guard worked with local government partners to develop a pollution control and cleanup plan, enlisting the National Response Corp. and DonJon-SMIT to handle oil spills.

Overall, the successful refloating and towing of the Bonnie G Cargo ship is a result of the collaborative efforts of various organizations working to protect the US Virgin Islands’ waters and prevent environmental damage.

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