Cleanup Progress Report - September 2006

Update Information: Three sides of the ship are now enclosed in a steel wall of sheet piling. Sea water is being pumped to lower the water level within the sheet pile cell. Contractors are progressing on removal of sand, steel and wood above the tanks where oil has been found. Asbestos containing insulation is abundant and is being removed by specially trained contractors.

Related Information: The sheet pile wall provides a barrier to sea water, but a significant amount of water infiltrates inside the sheet pile because of the sand and gravel underlying the Catala. About 100,000 gallons of sea water is pumped each day into a treatment system before it is discharged into a basin to infiltrate back into the sand.

Amount of Oil Recovered: To date, contractors estimate they have removed 55,000 gallons of oil and oily water from tanks in the Catala. In addition, over 125 cubic yards of oil contaminated sand have been removed from within the hull. Another 1400 cubic yards of clean sand have also been removed from on top of and within the hull.

Click images below to see enlargements

View from mid-ship toward the bow of the Catala.
(Sept. 6, 2006)

The galley has been uncovered. No glassware or utensils were discovered. A significant amount of asbestos containing insulation was found.
(Sept. 6, 2006)

An infiltration basin has been set up within the sheet pile wall to pump and treat sea water. Daily sampling is done to assure there is no petroleum left in the water. It is actually clearer than water sampled off shore in Grays Harbor.
(Sept. 6, 2006)

Workers are beginning o place sheet pile on the fourth wall to completely surround the hull of the ship.
(Sept. 6, 2006)

View from portholes in the dining area.
(Sept. 6, 2006)

Black oil deposits are smeared throughout the cabins and holds.
(Sept. 6, 2006)