Coast Guard cautions boaters of safety zone during removal operations for grounded vessel off Flamenco Beach

The Coast Guard cautions boaters and people conducting recreational water activities to stay clear from the established safety zone and crane barge worksite that is scheduled to conduct vessel removal operations, starting Tuesday, for the grounded sailing vessel Obsession from a reef just off Flamenco Beach. The safety zone consists of a 100-yard perimeter around the sailing vessel Obsession and will be in place until removal operations are completed sometime next week. There will be a Coast Guard vessel on-scene enforcing the safety zone and guiding any boating traffic or people conducting recreational activities in the area to stay clear from the work site. “We would like to remind everyone that there will be a safety zone around the active worksite during the vessel removal operations for the sailing vessel Obsession,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jamie Testa, Federal On-Scene Coordinator Representative for the case.  “There will be a lot of sensitive and complex movements of heavy equipment, including diving operations near the reef area. In this final stage, we must continue to do everything possible to keep people and responders safe and to protect the reef and marine environment from any further impacts.”