Seacor Power salvage crews have managed to remove all of the vessel’s diesel fuel stores, averting potential environmental contamination.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Cory Mendenhall said crews managed to remove over 20,300 gallons of diesel from the fuel storage tanks, but about 4,500 gallons of hydraulic fluid remain.

“The tanks that that fluid is in have not been compromised, but they are currently inaccessible,” said Mendenhall. “So the plan is to remove that after they raise the vessel.”

The Coast Guard is now moving from an environmental response to a salvage phase that will involve raising the vessel and getting it back to port.

“They plan to use a large crane on a barge but it is not as simple as just getting the vessel and pulling it out. It is a complex process,” said Mendenhall who added there is currently no timetable for when they expect to raise the vessel, but it won’t be before June at the earliest.

Seven crew members remain missing. Nineteen crew members were on board at the time the Seacor Power encountered rough weather and capsized April 13th. Six crew were rescued and six bodies have been recovered.

(Story written by Matt Doyle/Louisiana Radio Network)

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