Full Notification

To ensure our residents, business partners and visitors have the most accurate information regarding the status of Jekyll Island areas impacted by the St. Simons Sound Golden Ray incident, please find below some frequently asked questions regarding current beach advisories, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s involvement and important contact information for oiled wildlife response.

What is the current status of the Golden Ray cargo ship incident?
The St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command continues its response to the Motor Vessel Golden Ray and is providing regular updates on its website: www.ssiresponse.com. Salvage crews continue to work on the vessel to remove fuel and the Unified Command is working with local stakeholder groups to track and evaluate reported sightings of oil. The capsized vessel is located on the edge of the shipping channel between Jekyll and St. Simons islands.
 
Are the Jekyll Island beaches open? Is it safe to swim? Is it safe to consume locally caught seafood?
Beaches are not closed, but beachgoers should always use caution when swimming or wading. The public is reminded that the water conditions could change quickly while the Golden Ray remains in the channel. If you see a sheen of oil on the surface of the water, do not swim or fish. If you spot the presence of oil while swimming or get oil on your skin, wash off the oil with dish soap and clean water.
The Georgia Department of Health has issued an advisory alerting swimmers and recreational fishers to the potential presence of oil on the beaches of Jekyll Island. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website: www.gachd.org/ssiresponse or call (844) 863-0325 for public health information and advisories.

Has any oil been found on Jekyll Island Beaches?
Small tar balls were found on Jekyll Island’s beaches earlier this week (the week of September 30), with higher concentrations towards the north of the island. The Unified Command commenced cleanup operations quickly and as of Friday, October 4, no additional oil pollution has been observed on Jekyll Island beach areas.
 
What is the Jekyll Island Authority’s involvement? What is the status of other areas of the island?
The Jekyll Island Authority is continuing to work closely with the Unified Command and Georgia DNR agencies to assess any potential impact to Jekyll Island beaches or marsh areas. Island amenities, restaurants, lodging, and other businesses are operating as usual and all scheduled events continue to take place. To stay updated on surrounding areas of the Golden Isles potentially impacted by the incident, visit www.ssiresponse.com.
 
Who is responsible for the incident?
The cause of the capsizing remains an ongoing investigation being led by the U.S. Coast Guard and partnering authorities. For ongoing information, visit www.ssiresponse.com. You can sign up for alerts on the most-up-to-date announcements and to stay informed.
 
What is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s involvement?
The GSTC, which is operated by the Jekyll Island Authority, is assisting the Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research Oil Spill Hotline and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) with response efforts to impacted birds and other wildlife from the Golden Ray Incident. The GSTC is serving as the triage facility for oiled birds and other wildlife. The birds will be stabilized, prior to being transferred to the Avian Conservation & Birds of Prey Center in South Carolina for further care.
 
Why does the GSTC staff have to wear special suits when handling the oiled birds?
Out of an abundance of caution for worker safety, staff are required to wear protective equipment when handling any wildlife that has come into contact with oil and requires medical treatment. Government regulations require the use of these during contamination spills, including oil.
 
Where were these birds found?
The birds are primarily from shoreline areas throughout the Golden Isles, though exact location where they came into contact with oil cannot be positively identified. Please report any sightings of oil to (800) 424-8802 and report any oiled wildlife to (800) 261-0980 for response.
 
How can someone find out more about the well-being of the birds brought to the Center or found in the area?
If someone is interested in finding out more information about the current state of an oiled bird, or has additional questions regarding wildlife response efforts, they can contact Tri-State Bird Rescue and GDNR directly or visit www.ssiresponse.com for further information.
 
What should someone do if they find injured or oiled birds or wildlife on Jekyll Island?
Do not approach, touch or handle injured or oiled wildlife in anyway. Contact the oiled wildlife response hotline immediately to report the location: (800) 261-0980.

The Jekyll Island Authority is in ongoing communications with the Unified Command and will continue to provide updates as conditions warrant.

As a reminder, to stay informed of any communications regarding Jekyll Island, sign up for Nixle alerts by visiting https://www.jekyllisland.com/livinghere/emergency-preparedness/ and filling out the web form within the page. Alerts can be received via text message and email.