Efforts Continue to ‘Save The Sullivans’ in Buffalo

The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are continuing efforts to save the historic USS The Sullivans museum ship after it sank at its pier last week at the Buffalo Naval Park in Buffalo, New York.

The decorated U.S. Navy destroyer-turned museum ship partially sank at its pier last Wednesday after a “serious hull breach” on its starboard side.

The Coast Guard said today it was working with partners in assessing and refloating vessel. Divers and underwater drones will be deployed as contractors work to dewater the vessel.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) visited the park this week to announce a “multi-approach plan” to secure federal funding needed to save The Sullivans and continue the environmental cleanup efforts.

“Today I am putting out an SOS across the federal government: Save Our Sullivans. I’m fully committed to having all hands on deck in getting the maximum amount of federal dollars we have,” said Schumer.

Currently there are no discussions of scrapping the vessel. “Failure is not an option. We are here to save The Sullivans,” said Coast Guard Commander Bill Mckinstry.

Built in 1943, USS The Sullivans is one of only four Fletcher-class destroyers, known for being the largest and most important class of U.S. destroyers used in World War II, remaining in existence. USS The Sullivans is also the first ship in the U.S. Navy to be named for more than one person—named after the five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa who were killed in action in 1942 while serving together on board the USS Juneau.

The USS The Sullivans is owned and maintained as a museum ship by Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, the largest inland Naval Park in the United States located in Buffalo, New York. Fundraising information can be found on the park’s Facebook page.

FAA has issued Temporary Flight Restrictions around the park, which includes drones, to ensure the safety of responders.

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