From the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park:
The mission to #SaveTheSullivans has officially transitioned from an Emergency Response Phase to a Maintenance and Decontamination Phase as the recovery efforts progress. As of today, divers have plugged a total of 51 holes in the hull, and crew members have removed approximately 95% of the water from the ship. We will continue to monitor water levels and pump out the remaining water. At its most critical point, USS The Sullivans DD-537 was listing to almost 30 degrees; it is now at a 0.1-degree list.
As we move into the next phase, the number of workers on-site will be reduced as assignments and objectives are completed and some of the equipment has been removed. BIDCO Marine Group will continue to work with us to complete the 2-part epoxy repair to the hull that was started last summer.
We would like to thank the men and women who came to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park from across the country to help Save the Sullivans, and to the community that provided so much support in all forms. There is still more work to do, but we have much to be grateful for.
The investigation details thus far: