The U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA will oversee the salvage of the motor vessel Albion in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Albion sank in 180 ft. of water on January 31, 2005 two miles north of Monterey Harbor and has remained there ever since. The owner has not salvaged the vessel during the past eighteen months. Therefore, in order to remove the threat of pollution from the Sanctuary, the Coast Guard and NOAA have taken over the operation. The Coast Guard and NOAA will begin work with the contractor, Titan Maritime Corp., until the wreckage removal is complete.
Small sheens have been observed at the wreck site since the vessel sank with an estimated 1700 gallons of diesel in its fuel tank. Measures will be in place to prevent any pollution during the recovery. Operations are planned to begin on July 31.