Coast Guard Assists Louisiana in Vessel Removal 

Release Date: December 13, 2005
Release Number: 1603-221

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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The U.S. Coast Guard, working under a mission assignment from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is assisting the state of Louisiana with the removal from navigable waterways of commercial vessels, wrecks and debris that pose an immediate threat to public safety or the environment.

Removal operations are primarily limited to commercial vessels and normally do not include recreational vessels unless they impede a navigable waterway, directly inhibit commercial activity or threaten public safety or the environment. Before taking action, the Coast Guard attempts to notify vessel owners, who are responsible for removal of their vessels. Recoverable vessels removed by the Coast Guard will be transferred to the state of Louisiana for final disposition.

Of the 2,321 wrecks and recoverable vessels identified by the Coast Guard, 622 have already been removed by the Coast Guard or the owner while 1,699 await removal. Boat owners whose vessels are missing may find them by going to www.wlf.louisiana.gov and accessing the link "Is Your Boat Missing Due to Katrina/Rita" under "What's New." They will need the boat's registration number to search.

In cases where the vessel is considered a wreck, it is moved to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris site. Wrecks are those boats or pieces and parts of vessels that have been damaged to the extent that the vessel is a total structural loss, has no residual value and has been substantially destroyed.

Recoverable vessels are those that have received significant structural damage, but retain some residual value or have sustained minor damage and are largely intact. Determining if a vessel is classified as a wreck or recoverable is done in coordination with the owner.

Immediately following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Coast Guard responded to oil spills. Additionally, it patrolled waterways to assess damaged vessels, marine debris and structures such as piers and pilings. The Coast Guard also repaired and replaced federally maintained aids to navigation.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Dec-2005 09:03:58