BUFFALO, N.Y. — Repair and recovery crews continue to make progress in the effort to save USS The Sullivans at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.

Thanks to the sunny weather early Monday, crews were able to remove eight cubic yards of debris and install additional water pumps near the stern. 

A marine chemist also cleared additional areas inside the ship for crews to work and a U.S. Coast Guard Commander joined the team on-site to help with the curation process of documents and artifacts.

Since the operation started, 112,000 gallons of water have been pumped from the ship. More than 7,000 gallons of oily waste that leaked from the vessel have been removed from the surrounding water.

Divers have now plugged 14 holes and 40 artifacts have been rescued from the ship.