Spirit of Sacramento raised, dewatered

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The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(SAN FRANCISCO) — The Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Army Corps of Engineers and other partner agencies prepared on Friday to remove pollution from a vessel that capsized near Bethel Island on Sept. 4.

Following a righting and dewatering operation Wednesday, Spirit of Sacramento arrived at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility in Sausalito at approximately 1:30 p.m. Friday. Global Diving and Salvage Inc. personnel were scheduled to maintain a 24-hour watch aboard the vessel throughout the weekend.

Petroleum product removal operations were expected to commence Saturday morning and continue throughout the day.

The Coast Guard is scheduled to formally transfer Spirit of Sacramento to the Environmental Protection Agency Monday, which will then remove hazardous material from the vessel at a later date.

By Professional Mariner Staff