Grounded tanker refloated

The 800-foot tank ship Yasa Golden Dardanelles was successfully refloated at 12:08 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009.

The tanker grounded Friday, Feb. 20, 2009 22 miles off the Galveston coast.

Coast Guard personnel from Marine Safety Unit Galveston successfully oversaw the lightering operation, which began on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. The operation was successful in transferring more than 80,000 barrels of oil to the lightering vessel SPT Crusader. The transfer was conducted safely, ensuring personnel were not harmed, no pollution was released into the environment, and no damage sustained to either vessel.

Prior to entering the port, commercial divers were to perform an underwater hull inspection of the tank ship. Naval engineers and inspectors from the ship's classification society will also examine the Yasa Golden Dardanelles.

The Yasa Golden Dardanelles had 26 crewmembers on board, and was carrying 621,000 barrels when it became grounded, Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. The tank ship did not discharge oil or impede other vessel traffic.

A Unified Command, consisting of the following organizations, worked on the response effort:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association

Texas General Land Office

United States Mineral Management Service

Tower Navigation, Inc.

Titan Salvage

O'Brien's Response Management

Marine Spill Response Organization

SPT Inc.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Galveston