MORRO BAY, Calif. - The S.S. Montebello Unified Command is continuing to direct underwater remotely operated vehicle operations to the sunken World War II tanker, Oct. 19, 2011.
ROV operators have completed ultrasonic thickness testing of multiple areas of the ship's hull, with readings supporting that the hull remains in sound condition.
A neutron backscatter device is being used to begin the first stage of testing for the presence of oil. Once the cargo tanks are scanned for hydrocarbons, samples of the tanks will be taken to confirm or deny the presence of oil.
The S.S. Montebello Unified Command is a joint partnership of the Coast Guard and California Department of Fish & Game's Office of Spill Prevention and Response.