The Coastal Health District has issued a public advisory in connection with the Saint Simons Sound Golden Ray Incident, with the following information:
Oil was released into the water during the cutting and removal of a section of the Golden Ray. Responders with the St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command are working to contain any pollutants and remove any oily substances that may reach the shore.
JIA Conservation staff have been in daily communication with the Unified Command on any impact to Jekyll Island's beaches and additional response personal have been deployed to areas of potential impact.
As a reminder, the public is advised to remain alert for oil in the water or the sand. If you step on a tarball or get oil on your skin, wash off the oil with soap and clean water. There is no need to use harsh detergents, solvents, or other chemicals to wash oil from skin or clothing.
If you see a sheen of oil on the surface of the water, do not swim or fish in the area and report the sheen to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
No beaches have been closed.
For additional information on the incident response, you can monitor the response website: www.ssiresponse.com.
