After nearly two years of legal battles, a federal lawsuit against the Golden Ray cargo ship’s owner and the salvage company was dismissed Tuesday after reaching a settlement with fishers, crabbers and other seafaring businesses.

On Monday, the Coast Guard honored the partner agencies who stepped in to help rescue the 23 crew members and then salvage the Golden Ray cargo ship -- a process that took more than two years.

The Coast Guard will host an award ceremony Monday morning to honor crew members for their response to the Golden Ray cargo ship that capsized back in 2019 near Brunswick.

Fishers, crabbers and other seafaring businesses, including airboat tour guides, have filed suit in federal court against the owner of the Golden Ray and the salvage company that dismantled the ship, claiming the environmental damage from the capsizing and salvage has wrecked their livelihoods.

Glynn County has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the owner of the Golden Ray, the company involved in the salvage of the capsized ship and others, claiming significant damage to the coastal environment and to the county’s economy.

There was a heartfelt salute Thursday night to members of the Glynn County Fire Department, the Tow Pilots Association, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and others — for all their efforts in the early hours of the Golden Ray cargo ship capsizing in the St. Simons Sound.

State environmental regulators are proposing a $3 million fine for the Hyundai Glovis Co. logistics and shipping firm, the company behind the Golden Ray cargo ship that overturned in the St. Simons Sound two years ago.

With the removal Monday of the final giant chunk of the overturned Golden Ray cargo ship, officials announced Tuesday that those involved in the process over the last two years had “accomplished a great feat.”

The final giant chunk of an overturned cargo ship was removed from waters along the coast of Georgia on Monday, almost a year after demolition began on the wreck that tipped over with 4,200 automobiles in its cargo decks.

Crews are working on removing the final section of the capsized Golden Ray cargo ship and Pollution Response Teams say they recovered debris during the lifting operations.

As the Golden Ray removal operations continue, crews are working to refit the barge that will carry away the remaining pieces of the wreck.

Federal investigators say an officer's errors in calculating the stability of a cargo ship carrying more than 4,000 new cars likely caused the giant vessel to capsize on the Georgia seacoast.

Lafourche Parish is a small parish south of New Orleans, Lousiana and also the place that Buddy Cantrelle calls home.

Two years ago Wednesday, the 600-foot Korean car carrier the Golden Ray capsized while sailing out of the Port of Brunswick.

Nearly two years after a 600-foot Korean car carrier overturned onto St. Simons Sound while sailing out of the Port of Brunswick, salvage crews completed the final cut on the last remaining piece of the shipwreck on Saturday.

Nearly two years after a 600-foot Korean car carrier overturned onto St. Simons Sound while sailing out of the Port of Brunswick, salvage crews are now cutting the final remaining piece of the shipwreck into two sections that will be hauled away for scrap.

Salvage crews have began cutting apart the final two sections remaining of a cargo ship that overturned along the coast of Georgia almost two years ago.

A venting pipe is said to be what caused an oil leak on the Golden Ray, an overturned cargo ship being dismantled along the coast of Georgia.

More than 35,000 pounds of oiled sand has been collected by environmental cleanup teams after an oil leak into the St. Simons Sound from the Golden Ray, an overturned cargo ship being dismantled, the News4Jax I-TEAM learned Monday.

Pollution response teams worked to contain oil that was discharged Saturday after demolition crews finished cutting away the sixth of eight sections of the Golden Ray, a giant cargo ship that tipped over leaving the Port of Brunswick nearly two years ago.

When the giant cargo ship began to tip over off the Georgia coast, harbor pilot Jonathan Tennant found himself on his side, screaming orders in the darkness while flying debris that felt like gravel pelted him.

A giant crane began Thursday slicing section six of the giant shipwreck that has laid on its side in St. Simons Sound for nearly two years.

The towering crane being used to saw apart an overturned cargo ship off St. Simons Sound has paused work for maintenance and repairs.

Environmentalists are working to determine if Tropical Storm Elsa worsened existing problems resulting from the stranded wreckage of the Golden Ray.

Health officials warned swimmers and fishermen to be on the lookout for oil sheens off two Georgia islands after oil spilled from an overturned cargo ship while crews were dismantling it.

A large amount of oil has escaped a barrier after it was released while crews were dismantling an overturned cargo ship along the Georgia coast, the Coast Guard said Thursday.

Salvage crews dismantling an overturned cargo ship along the coast of Georgia are adding explosives to their toolbox.

It’s been a week since the Golden Ray caught on fire for the fourth time in the St. Simon’s Sound.

After firefighters battled a massive fire aboard what’s left of the capsized Golden Ray in St. Simons Sound on Friday, the Coast Guard says the fire has been suppressed.

The saga of the Golden Ray began on September 8, 2019.

What remains of the Golden Ray, the massive ship that capsized in the St. Simons Sound in September 2019, caught fire Friday and initially produced a massive amount of black smoke blowing toward Jekyll Island.

Crews have started cutting the next section of the Golden Ray, which capsized in the St. Simons Sound in September 2019.

The demolition of an overturned cargo ship in the St. Simons Sound is halfway done after a fourth section of the Golden Ray was sliced, separated and lifted from the wreck.

Another section of the Golden Ray has been separated from the rest of the wreck.

Salvage operations of the massive Golden Ray ship from St. Simons Sound continue as part of the response team concentrates on the environmental impact.

An Incident Response team member holds a piece of debris recovered from St. Simons Sound. “It’s a disappointingly slow pace.”AdSalvage experts decided more than a year ago that the Golden Ray, measuring 656 feet long, was too big to remove intact. A hydrographic survey vessel creating imagery of the seabed around the Golden Ray wreck. AdConservationists worry the longer the shipwreck stays in St. Simons Sound, the greater pollution threat it poses to the area's waterways, beaches and saltwater marshes. Paul Hankins oversaw planning for a smaller-scale demolition of the Golden Ray until his employer, Donjon-SMIT, lost the job to a competitor.

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2019, file photo, a Moran tugboat nears the stern of the capsizing vessel Golden Ray near St. Simons Sound off the coast of Georgia. Both ends of the cargo ship have been cut away and carried off by barges in a pair of giant chunks. “It’s a disappointingly slow pace.”Salvage experts decided more than a year ago that the Golden Ray, measuring 656 feet (199 meters) long, was too big to remove intact. Crews spent the entire month of February attempting a third cut through the ship's engine room, a section fortified with thicker steel. Paul Hankins oversaw planning for a smaller-scale demolition of the Golden Ray until his employer, Donjon-SMIT, lost the job to a competitor.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Salvage crews are preparing to take a critical step in removing the wreckage from the Golden Ray in St. Simons Sound. Environmentalists are concerned because crews will soon sever the capsized cargo ship’s fuel line. Hundreds of vehicles are still aboard the vessel, which is why pieces of large debris are washing up along some beaches in the area. St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command plans on cutting through the fuel truck in the coming days, which environmentalists worry could end up releasing the largest amount of fuel into the St Simons Sound. Ad“We anticipate if there is that quantity of fuel that the large release will come when they lift the section versus cutting,” Sams said.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Salvage crews began a third cut into the cargo ship Golden Ray on Wednesday morning. The bow and stern of the 656-foot car carrier that overturned leaving the Port of Brunswick in September 2019 have already been cut off, lifted and removed. An 80-pound anchor chain operated by a heavy lifting crane is tearing through the hull, cutting the ship into massive slices. The St. Simons Incident Response said each section weighs between 2,700-4,100 tons. Responders begin 3rd cut into the Golden Ray.

The Riverkeeper says about 44,000 gallons of petroleum product are aboard the Golden Ray. Around Driftwood Beach, Inman found several pieces of debris, including bumper parts, melted plastic and pieces of fiberglass. From the sky, it’s clear the ship is leaking petroleum after the cut of the stern earlier this month. @ 5 — The Golden Ray is clearly leaking petroleum product after 2nd cut and removal of the stern earlier this month. Altamaha Riverkeepers monitoring Jekyll Island looking for any debris that washes up from the Golden Ray.

The next section of the Golden Ray is ready to be put on a barge and taken away. Crews completed cutting operations to separate the stern from the Golden Ray on Saturday evening, the St. Simons Sound Incident Response said Sunday. Full Screen Full Screen 1 / 4 The next piece of the Golden Ray is lifted. Salvagers are cutting the Golden Ray into eight pieces. Crews successfully cut the bow section of the Golden Ray at the end of November and then placed it onto barge Julie B.

Part of a cargo ship that became stranded off the Georgia coast is headed to a recycling facility in Louisiana as crews start making the second cut into the Golden Ray. The bow left St. Simons Sound on Tuesday, squeezing under the Sidney Lanier Bridge. Salvagers are cutting the Golden Ray into eight pieces. (St. Simons Sound Incident Response)A major concern is the environmental impact. Once the bow is delivered to the recycling facility in Louisiana, the barge will return to the St. Simons Sound and will be on standby to transport the stern.

The next steps in the Golden Ray removal operations are underway. The stern is the next section of the ship to be cut and lifted out of the St. Simons Sound. Photos from St. Simons Sound Incident Response show divers preparing for the second cut and other equipment being prepared for rigging. The Stern is the next section of the ship to be cut and lifted out of the St. Simons Sound. To report oiled wildlife: 800-261-0980To report pollution: 800-424-8802To report debris: 912-944-5620We continue to document and clean up debris with members of Unified Command.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Gal. – Crews finished cutting the first of eight sections of the 656-foot Golden Ray on Saturday. “They must have hit something, because what it sounded like was bowling ball going down a metal staircase,” a St. Simons Sound resident said. (St. Simons Sound Incident Response)The grassroots organization, Altamaha Riverkeeper, also sent News4Jax video that shows equipment and other items falling from the wreck. Authorities are asking anyone who sees debris from the Golden Ray to report it to the debris reporting hotline, at 912-944-5620.

A few local waterways, including the St. Simons Sound, have made the 2020 “Dirty Dozen” list released by the Georgia Water Coalition. “It’s important to know that it doesn’t mean that it’s the most polluted area in Georgia. The request is simple: The Georgia Water Coalition wants a damage assessment done in the St. Simons Sound. READ: Georgia Water Coalition’s 2020 Dirty Dozen reportThis is the second year the St. Simons Sound has been on the “Dirty Dozen” list for the state of Georgia, but the Altamaha River has been on the list eight times, breaking a record. A pulp mill sits along the Altamaha River and, for years, there have been issues with color and odor seeping into the water, according to the Georgia Water Coalition.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – The removal of the Golden Ray, the overturned cargo ship in the St. Simons Sound, was temporarily delayed after a chain broke on Saturday while crews were trying to dismantle the 656-foot vessel loaded with vehicles. According to the St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command, the VB-10000 heavy-lifting crane began cutting into the bow section of the ship at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. But just 25 hours into the operation, the cutting chain broke. Crews were able to retrieve and repair the broken link on the chain soon after. The vessel was supposed to be cut into eight pieces in a 7-day process, taking 24 hours for each cut.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Long-awaited work on the capsized cargo ship carrying more than 4,200 new cars has finally begun. Friday, crews started cutting the South-Korean owned Golden Ray into pieces. It has been more than a year since the 656-foot vessel loaded with vehicles listed heavily and rolled onto its starboard side in the St. Simons Sound. How did the Golden Ray capsize? Need more Golden Ray stories?

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – The Versabar 10,000 has finally arrived at the salvage operations of the Golden Ray, the overturned cargo ship in the St. Simons Sound. Crews will use the giant VB 10,000 to dismantle the Golden Ray into eight sections. More than 71 tons of equipment and inventory remains in the Golden Ray wreckage, which includes thousands of new vehicles. It will take a few days before the VB 10,000 will be positioned over the Golden Ray. The VB 10,000 weighs 7,500 tons and is the largest lift vessel ever built in the United States.

The heavy-lifting crane that has been sitting in the Port of Fernandina since early July is expected to make its way to the St. Simons Sound as early as Tuesday. Partly submerged and waiting to be dismantled, the next step in the Golden Ray removal operation is expected to happen this week, weather permitting. Responders will use the crane to cut the Golden Ray wreck into eight sections, which will then be placed onto barges. We’ve seen this for so long,” Long said. The Unified Command is telling boaters to steer clear of the environmental protection barrier that is set up around the wreck.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Two Georgia lawmakers said they’re growing increasingly concerned by the persistent setbacks that have plagued the Golden Ray salvage operation. The 656-foot cargo ship has been sitting on its side in the St. Simons Sound for more than a year. Engineers originally hoped to have the Golden Ray out of the St. Simons Sound before peak hurricane season, that didn’t happen because of storms and COVID-19. READ: Letter from Congressmen to Golden Ray Unified CommandCarter and Purdue are now demanding weekly updates from the Unified Command and detailed explanations for any delays. MORE: Follow all our coverage of the Golden Ray sagaThe latest update from Unified Command says crews are now installing pilings to secure the crane.

The multi-agency command overseeing the salvage of the South Korean ship Golden Ray had hoped to start cutting the giant vessel apart in early October. The command released a statement Wednesday saying it will be “several weeks” more before crews can begin dismantling the ship. “There’s been no emerging environmental impact.”The Golden Ray capsized Sept. 8, 2019, off St. Simons Island, about 70 miles (200 kilometers) south of Savannah. The Coast Guard held hearings on the cause of the shipwreck last month. An expert concluded the Golden Ray tipped over because unstable loading had left its center of gravity too high.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – A U.S. Coast Guard analysis found that a cargo ship overturned after departing a Georgia seaport because of unstable loading that left its center of gravity too high, making the vessel susceptible to rolling over, an expert told officials investigating the shipwreck Tuesday. Coast Guard Lt. Ian Oviatt testified that his analysis found no fault with the design of the South Korean-owned Golden Ray. “The cause of the vessel capsizing was lack of righting energy due to the way the vessel was loaded,” Oviatt said. But once the Golden Ray began to capsize, there was likely little they could do, said Jeffrey Falzarano, a professor of ocean engineering for Texas A&M University who also testified Tuesday. Blake Welborn, the Coast Guard officer leading the investigation.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A tugboat captain who helped push the ill-fated cargo ship Golden Ray from the docks as it left a Georgia seaport said Monday he observed only “smooth travel” before the giant vessel overturned. The South Korean-owned Golden Ray had just left the Port of Brunswick on Sept. 8, 2019, when it overturned with 4,200 vehicles in its cargo decks. It was just smooth travel out of the narrow channel into Turtle River.”The Golden Ray’s pilot released Gorden soon after clearing the port. He said he was drifting toward another ship he was scheduled to assist when he got a radio call saying the Golden Ray needed help. “Everything was just as normal as could be, until it capsized,” Tennant, a harbor pilot with 20 years of experience, testified Friday.

Friday, the harbor pilot, who was also on the Golden Ray when it capsized, recounted his experience. Lee testified he lowered the door as the Golden Ray passed under the Sidney Lanier Bridge to prepare for the harbor pilot’s departure. Jonathan Tennant, who was praised for his decision to intentionally ground the Golden Ray, testified Friday. As he was on the radio, the 20,000-ton Golden Ray capsized in seconds. The hearing on the Golden Ray disaster will continue through Sept. 30.

Among the evidence released was audio from the 656-foot Golden Ray cargo ship’s black box, which recorded 10 terrifying minutes of the vessel’s South Korean crew members trying to save it. Coast Guard Capt. RELATED: One year later: Golden Ray cargo ship still lays in St. Simons Sound | Previous coverage of Golden Ray incident, rescue, removalThe ship is still in the sound a year later. The Coast Guard said hearings like these are generally meant to determine what happened to prevent future issues and see what lessons can be learned and are not meant to determine civil or criminal responsibility. The Coast Guard has established an email address for the public and interested parties to provide information, ask questions and make comments related to the ongoing investigation and scheduled hearing.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. One year ago today the Golden Ray Cargo Ship carrying 4,2000 cars ran aground and overturned in the St. Simons Sound. A fire ignited and the race began to rescue 24 crew members who were aboard when the ship flipped. 35 hours later, the final crew members were rescued from the control room of the ship and amazingly, no serious injuries or deaths occurred. However, the 656-foot transport vessel is still sitting in the St. Simons Sound and the majority of the work is still ahead. A heavy lifting crane, called the VersaBar 10,000, will be used to lift the cargo ship, piece by piece until its ultimate removal.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Although cutting and lifting operations won’t begin until October, efforts to remove the capsized Golden Ray cargo ship are continuing, according to Unified Command. It’s been nearly a year since the Golden Ray capsized in the early morning of September 2019 in the St. Simons Sound. UC said it had to implement it s Heavy Weather Plan when Isaias threatened the Southeast Georgia coast, meaning equipment had to be moved and secured until the storm passed. We were prepared for Hurricane Isaias and are proud of the quick execution of our Heavy Weather Plan by our response personnel,” said Cmdr. The Unified Command said while hurricane season is a big concern, having the Golden Ray intact will minimize the impact to the St. Simons Sound.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – It’s been nearly eleven months since the Golden Ray capsized in the early morning of September 2019 in the St. Simons Sound. During the virtual meeting, the Unified Command said the impact of the pandemic influenced this decision to pause operations. The Unified Command said while hurricane season is a big concern, having the Golden Ray intact will minimize the impact to the St. Simons Sound. The massive heavy lifting crane that will lift each of the eight sections of the Golden Ray is still at the Port of Fernandina. The Unified Command says the VersaBar 10,000 may move but the equipment is dedicated to the operation.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Fla. – The nine people directly involved with the removal operations of the cargo ship Golden Ray who tested positive for COVID-19 have been cleared to return to work, according to Unified Response officials. They have cleared medical screenings and can now return to work removing the cargo ship, which is still lying on its side in the St. Simons Sound. Operations continue to prepare the Golden Ray for the arrival of the VersaBar-10,000. The Golden Ray is referred to as a “RoRo” a roll-on, roll-off shop so cars can be driven on and off. Unified Command said 4,200 cars remain on board the ship that has been lying on its side for more than 10 months.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Crews are making strides in their mission to remove the Golden Ray from St. Simons Island Sound. Unified Command said it is expecting the monster-sized crane that’ll be used to cut up the overturned cargo ship to be in the Sound by the end of June. For some around St. Simons Island, the sentiment of wanting it out of the Sound is the same. Ken McLaurin has lived in St. Simons Island for the last 20 years and regularly sees the Golden Ray wreckage during his bike trips near the Sound. It will then be used to cut up the Golden Ray, section by section.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A federal judge on Friday ordered attorneys for the U.S. Coast Guard and a maritime salvage company to answer detailed questions about plans to remove an overturned cargo ship on the Georgia coast by sawing it into eight enormous chunks. The multi-agency command overseeing the wreck removal hopes to start cutting the ship into sections in May. The company said the ship’s owner rejected its plan and hired another firm, T&T Salvage, willing to remove the vessel in larger chunks of up to 4,100 tons. Attorneys for the Coast Guard said in an initial response filed Friday that Cmdr. Norm Witt, the Coast Guard officer supervising the removal, approved the change after consulting with salvage experts in the Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy.

The salvage company Donjon-SMIT filed a complaint Thursday in U.S. District Court seeking a judge’s injunction to stop any removal efforts. The company said the owner instead hired another firm, T&T Salvage, willing to remove the vessel in larger chunks of up to 4,100 tons. Campbell Houston, a spokesman for the multiagency command overseeing the salvage operation, referred a reporter seeking comment to the Coast Guard in Miami. A spokesman there, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Murray, said he couldn’t comment on the pending litigation. The company says it had been the Golden Ray’s designated salvage responder since September 2017.

Crews to install oil boom around Golden Ray in St. Simons SoundPublished: February 7, 2020, 6:24 pmAs the Golden Ray continues to sit in the St. Simons Sound, crews will install a large floating oil boom around the cargo ship to catch surface pollutants.

Boaters have been getting too close to the capsized Golden Ray in St. Simons Sound, officials said. The St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command sent a reminder Wednesday that the 150-yard safety zone around the vessel remains in effect "to protect the public and response crews." No one is authorized to enter the safety zone without approval of the U.S. Coast Guard or Unified Command response vessels on scene. "We understand that our restrictions affect this community and we appreciate your continued patience and cooperation as we work safely around the clock to prepare the wreck for removal," the response team said. Boaters outside the safety zone are asked to keep operating at slow, safe speeds near any salvage, shoreline or booming operations.

Unified Command response crews began to place rocks next to the hull of the Golden Ray to slow down erosion around the overturned vessel in the St. Simons Sound. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Salvage crews are moving thousands of rocks next to the hull of the Golden Ray before crews start taking the ship apart piece by piece.

St. Simons Response Unified Command released laser image shows the interior of the ninth deck of the Golden Ray where cars slid together when the ship overturned, some missing tires. St. SIMONS, Ga. - St. Simons Sound Response released new photos of the Golden Ray Friday that provided a first look inside the cargo ship since it overturned in the St. Simons Sound in early September. Unified Command identified the next two pictures as the ninth deck where cars slid together when the ship overturned. St. Simons Response Unified Command released laser image shows another interior angle of the ninth deck of the Golden Ray where cars slid together when the ship overturned, some missing tires. The Unified Command said response crews stabilized the source of the smoke, but the cause is still unknown.

St. SIMONS, Ga. – St. Simons Sound Response released new photos of the Golden Ray Friday that provided a first look inside the cargo ship since it overturned in the St. Simons Sound in early September. St. Simons Response Unified Command released laser image shows the interior of the fourth deck of the Golden Ray where a couple cars remain in relatively good shape, plastic still protecting the grills. Unified Command identified the next two pictures as the ninth deck where cars slid together when the ship overturned. St. Simons Response Unified Command released laser image shows another interior angle of the ninth deck of the Golden Ray where cars slid together when the ship overturned, some missing tires. The Unified Command said response crews stabilized the source of the smoke, but the cause is still unknown.

New video from the Altamaha Riverkeeper shows efforts to stop white smoke that was discovered to be rising from the wreck of Golden Ray. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - The Golden Ray will be disassembled in place after maritime experts have determined it is not possible to safely right and refloat the vessel in a fully intact condition, according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. On Saturday, Unified Command announced they are developing plans to remove all of the M/V Golden Ray's hull, components and cargo in an incident response update. The Unified Command is continuing pollution mitigation throughout the duration of the removal operation. It has completed the lightening of the forward fuel oil tanks onboard the Golden Ray, according to the release. Specialists from the Unified Command are conducting water monitoring at 22 sites under a long-term plan.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - The Golden Ray will be disassembled in place after maritime experts have determined it is not possible to safely right and refloat the vessel in a fully intact condition,... Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - For more than a month, the 656-foot vehicle transport vessel has been sitting on its side in the St. Simons Sound as response crews are working on a salvage plan. The Unified Command said on-water operations have resumed after a short pause earlier this week because of weather. The Unified Command says more than 220,000 gallons of fuel has been removed from the vessel. Response teams are also patrolling beaches in the area to recover any tar balls which have come ashore using proper safety equipment and appropriate tools. The Unified Command says more than 400 people and 70 vessels are currently responding to the incident.

ST. SIMONS SOUND, Ga. - Officials in Georgia are warning beachgoers they may find tar balls around St. Simons Sound, a month after crews began work to contain oil pollution from a capsized cargo ship. A dangerous removal operationA total of 300,000 gallons of fuel were aboard the Golden Ray when it listed and overturned last month. More than 136,000 gallons had been transported off the Golden Ray by Wednesday night, according to the Unified Command. The Unified Command said there was a leak from the vessel on Monday but it was plugged within a day. Fletcher Sams, executive director of Altamaha Riverkeeper, recorded video of tar balls on Jekyll Beach.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - New concerns have washed ashore after a cargo ship overturned in the St. Simons Sound. Salvage crews on the cargo ship in the St. Simons Sound sealed the leak that has caused fuel to spill into the water for nearly a month. Over 169,000 gallons of fuel have already been removed according to the latest update from the St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command. Specialists will continue to actively monitor air and water quality around the vessel, Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island. The district will continue to monitor water testing in the area and give an update once the water is clear for swimmers.

ST. SIMON'S SOUND, Ga. - Georgia state leaders are praising first responders and authorities at Port Brunswick on how they handled last month's cargo ship disaster in the St. Simon's Sound. During Wednesday's State of the Port Address, Georgia Gov. Even though it remains in the St. Simons Sound, the port was only shut down for four days. The Brunswick News reports Lynch praised the pilot who made the decision to ground the Golden Ray where it is. Specialists will continue to actively monitor air and water quality around the vessel, Jekyll Island, and St. Simons Island.

The Coast Guard says the Golden Ray is aground and stable where it sits, however, plans are in the works to make sure the cargo ship is secure ahead of the storm. Authorities said current salvage plans and oil recovery operations are ongoing as responders prepare for the storm and its possible impacts on the Golden Ray. Sullivan said the Coast Guard will be taking steps to ensure the 656-foot Golden Ray does not move from where it is now. Coast Guard members told News4Jax it's looking into placing additional moorings to secure the vessel. News4Jax Meteorologist Richard Nunn said the storm will likely impact the region on Sunday and Monday with winds around 30 mph.

The hole that was drilled out of the hull of the Golden Ray was just 3 feet by 2 feet. In the video above, Kent Justice explains just how small of a space that was.

Efforts ran into trouble amid the flames and instability of the ship, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Coast Guard Capt. Coast Guard Sector Charleston was notified by the Glynn County 911 dispatch that the 656-foot ship had capsized in St. Simons Sound. While the Coast Guard is the primary agency dealing with the rescue effort, Glynn County first responders are helping where possible. Several Coast Guard units are involved in the rescue operation including: 2 Coast Guard Station Brunswick response boat crews 2 Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews Coast Guard Cutter Heron launched to assist Coast Guard Sector Charleston Marine Safety Unit Savannah Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response TeamThe Port of Brunswick is one of the busiest U.S. seaports for shipping automobiles.

The Coast Guard is searching for four members of a capsized cargo ship near Brunswick. The Golden Ray went capsized and caught fire in St Simons Sound Georgia Sunday morning. All but 4 crew members were rescued.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - The Coast Guard and port partners are searching for four crew members aboard a capsized cargo ship that caught fire Sunday morning in St. Simons Sound, Brunswick, Georgia. The vessel is leaning heavily in the St. Simons Sound, according to the Coast Guard. They issued an urgent marine broadcast and directed the launch of multiple Coast Guard assets. Several Coast Guard units are involved in the rescue operation including: Two Coast Guard Station Brunswick Response Boat crews Two Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews Coast Guard Cutter Heron launched to assist Coast Guard Sector Charleston Marine Safety Unit Savannah Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response TeamThe U.S. Coast Guard said the Golden Ray is stranded near the mouth of Fancy Bluff Creek. While the Coast Guard is the primary agency dealing with the rescue effort, Glynn County first responders are helping where possible.