Vessel aground Urunao Beach; Guam

Guam | 2008-May-09

Initial Notification: This hotline is being opened to capture information related to a grounded vessel in Guam. The un-named migrant smuggling vessel was intentionally grounded in late March. Several hundred gallons of diesel were removed at that time and the vessel is currently not considered an oil pollution threat. NOAA ERD was contacted regarding advice on vessel wreck removal alternatives and trade-offs. Further destruction to the reef environment is a serious concern. The vessel is approximately 70 foot-long of wooden construction. The vessel has a large hole in the keel and is firmly lodged on the reef flat. Floating the vessel and removing it may be difficult due to the hole in the keel and the degradation of the ship's supporting structure. Land based access to the site is limited to a private road and it will be difficult to bring in heavy equipment.