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6,000 tons of rock to stabilize overturned ship in Port of Brunswick

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Georgia Ports Authority spokesman Robert Morris said an incident like this is the first of its kind for a vessel at either the Brunswick or Savannah ports.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) - Truckloads of rocks are being transported to the Georgia coast to stabilize an overturned cargo ship until it can be removed in pieces.

[PHOTOS: Car cargo ship capsizes off Georgia coast]

The joint response team overseeing salvage of the Golden Ray said in a news release that 6,000 tons of rock will be placed along the hull of the ship to slow erosion of sand beneath it caused by the tides off St. Simons Island. The rock is being delivered by trucks from Georgia quarries and will be laid around the ship using barges.

[READ: All crew members rescued from overturned cargo ship]

The vessel overturned Sept. 8 near the Port of Brunswick. Rescuers drilled into the hull and rescued four crewmen trapped in the ship.

Crews plan to haul the ship away in pieces, saying it cannot be safely righted and refloated intact.