Photos Available: Crane barge arrives in Astoria for oil spill response, pier deconstruction and tank removal to commence Monday

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 01/28/2018 06:38 PM EST

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News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District PA Detachment Astoria
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Astoria
Office: (503) 861-6380
After Hours: (206) 819-9154
PA Detachment Astoria online newsroom

Crane barge arrives in Astoria for oil spill response, pier deconstruction and tank removal to commence Monday

Capt. Bill Timmons, commander Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and federal on scene coordinator, watches response personnel cleanup oil product from the Columbia River adjacent to the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa in Astoria, Ore., Jan. 28, 2018. Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Ward, a marine science technician attached to the Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, provides an operational brief to Capt. Bill Timmons, commander and federal on scene coordinator, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River at the oil spill site near the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, Jan. 28, 2018. Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Ward, a marine science technician attached to the Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, gives a tour and provides an operational brief to Capt. Bill Timmons, commander and federal on scene coordinator, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, and Cmdr. Sean Cashell, response department head, Sector Columbia River, at the oil spill site near the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, Jan. 28, 2018. Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Ward, a marine science technician from the Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, discusses operations of an ongoing oil spill response with Kerri Walsh, a supervisor with Global Diving and Salvage, near the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa in Astoria, Ore., Jan. 28, 2018. Oil spill responders from the National Response Corporation Environmental Services pick up oily pompoms used to collect oil product from the Columbia River near Astoria, Ore., Jan. 28, 2018. Oil spill responders from the National Response Corporation Environmental Services pick up oily pompoms used to collect oil product from the Columbia River near Astoria, Ore., Jan. 28, 2018. A skimmer pumps oil and water content collected from the Columbia River into a vacuum truck during an oil spill response near the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa in Astoria, Ore., Jan. 28, 2018. A skimmer pumps oil and water content collected from the Columbia River into a vacuum truck during an oil spill response near the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa in Astoria, Ore., Jan. 28, 2018.

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

WARRENTON, Ore. – A crane barge and other large equipment have arrived in Astoria to commence pier deconstruction, Monday, in response to the oil spill that was first reported, January 18, near a pier west of the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa.

The pier deconstruction will lead to the eventual removal of the boiler oil tank located underneath the collapsing dilapidated pier next to the hotel.

Oil spill responders from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Washington Department of Ecology, National Response Corporation Environmental Services and Global Diving and Salvage contractors have been on scene and responding since the oil spill was reported. The majority of response to date has consisted of oil containment, marina and boat cleaning, environmental impact assessments, ordering and gathering response equipment and identifying a method to safely access the tank. More resources have been ordered to aid in oil collection efforts.

During operations Saturday, the tank released an increased amount of oil product into the water that remained mostly within the containment boomed area. A vacuum truck and two skimmers began removing the oil from the site Saturday, which have collected 1,500 gallons of oily water mixture.

“The safe and efficient response by federal, state and contractor personnel has overcome several obstacles beyond their control,” said Cmdr. Sean Cashell, response department head, Sector Columbia River. “Obstacles include a nine-foot high-tidal shift, strong river currents and an unconfirmed source of product beneath crumbling concrete structures.  All of which impacts operator safety around the spill site and will impact the operations of the crane barge.”

The maximum potential of the spill is still 4,200 gallons, but it is still unknown how much oil product has been released from the 20 foot by 6 foot mid 1900s era oil tank. The pier was once home to a seafood cannery that was a large employer for Astoria residents in the early 1900s.

A Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment small boat transported a Seaside Aquarium wildlife expert to conduct a wildlife assessment in the vicinity of Desdemona Sands Sunday morning. To this point there has been no reported impact to wildlife.

An aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Sector Columbia River conducted an overflight of the impacted area also Sunday morning and discovered only trace sheening outside the containment area.

Media interested in reporting or videoing the pier dismantling and speaking to responders are requested to coordinate with Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read at 206-819-9154.

 

-USCG-