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Capsized cargo ship was deliberately grounded, officials say

This decision helped reopen the port for business days later, said Griff Lynch, the executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority.

Officials announced Wednesday that the cargo ship, Golden Ray, wasn't accidentally capsized, but deliberately grounded, according to a report by the Brunswick News.

The decision to ground the Golden Ray reportedly helped reopen the port for business days after the ship capsized.

The pilot who decided to ground the Golden Ray, Capt. Jonathan Tennant, was praised on Wednesday during the State of the Port presentation in Jekyll Island. Griff Lynch, the executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, said during the presentation that without Tennant's decision, "we would have an even bigger problem."

The Golden Ray, a 656-foot ship, rolled on its side in St. Simons Sound on Sept. 8. Twenty-four people were rescued.

RELATED: Port of Brunswick 'back open for business' after cargo ship overturns, briefly shuts it down

RELATED: Process to remove Golden Ray from St. Simons Sound could be slow

The Brunswick News also reported that Tennant was part of the crew that remained on the ship to help the U.S. Coast Guard rescue 20 out of the 24 people aboard the ship when it capsized.

RELATED: Final crew member rescued from overturned cargo ship in St. Simons Sound

Lynch didn't say what led up to the moments leading to Tennant's decision, the report said.

Click here to read the report by the Brunswick News.

RELATED: Crews continue to combat environmental challenges after cargo ship capsize in St. Simon Sound

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