Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date: December 11, 2007
Contact: LCDR Martin Smith
USCG Sector Seattle Response
206-391-4066 

CLEAN UP EFFORTS FOR TACOMA OIL SPILL CONTINUE
Photos and Video Available

SEATTLE - Video of the clean up efforts by the National Response Corporation Environmental Services that took place today in Tacoma, Wash., can be viewed and downloaded here.

SEATTLE - A National Response Corporation Environmental Services (NRCES) crew helps in the clean up efforts in Tacoma, Wash., after the fishing vessel Bowfin released 435 gallons of diesel fuel during an internal transfer early this morning.  The NRCES will double boom the spill area to prevent further spreading of fuel in the water. (Official Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer David Marin)

SEATTLE - John Swain, a technician for the National Response Corporation Environmental Services, is onboard a MARCO skimmer conducting clean up of the oil spill in Tacoma Wash., at Pier 25 today.  The MARCO recovery system utilizes a powerful induction pump behind a continuous, moving, oil-absorbing belt.  Recovered oil is then scraped and squeezed from the belt into a sump, and debris is collected in a separate container. (Official Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer David Marin)   

SEATTLE - Cleanup efforts for the 435-gallon diesel fuel spill continue this evening in Tacoma, Wash., at the Port of Tacoma's Pier 25.

Previously, the amount of diesel fuel released into the water was estimated at 380 gallons, and is now confirmed to be approximately 435 gallons.

A unified command, consisting of representatives from the Coast Guard, the Washington Department of Ecology and Trident Seafoods, was established to manage response and cleanup efforts.

Those efforts will continue throughout the night as crews from the National Response Corporation Environmental Services (NRCES) lay out double boom around the spill area.  Earlier today, the on-scene contractor responded to reports of sheen outside the boomed area and collected as much as possible. At request of Unified Command, the contractor deployed protective booms around sensitive habitat at the mouth of the Hylebos Waterway off Marine View Drive.

Efforts will also focus on collecting and removing the smaller quantities of diesel fuel that gathered beneath the dock after the initial spill.

The spill occurred Monday evening when the fishing vessel Bowfin spilled fuel overboard while performing an internal transfer of diesel fuel. A protective boom, already in place around the Bowfin, helped contain the majority of spilled fuel.

The Coast Guard, Department of Ecology and Trident Seafoods are investigating the exact cause of the release. Unified Command will release a status update later this evening summarizing today's activities.

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