Imagery Available: Federal, state and local agencies cleaning up diesel spill in Portage Bay

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest
Contact: 13th District Public Affairs
Office: (206) 220-7237
After Hours: (206) 819-9154
13th District online newsroom

Federal, state and local agencies cleaning up diesel spill in Portage Bay

Containment boom trails from behind the 135-foot research vessel Rachel Carson, operated by the University of Washington, after diesel fuel was spilled into Portage Bay in Seattle during an internal tank-to-tank transfer, March 5, 2018. Containment boom and absorbent pads are placed around a diesel spill in Portage Bay in Seattle, March 5, 2018. Oil Spill responders deploy containment boom and absorbent pads in and around a diesel spill in Portage Bay in Seattle, March 5, 2018.

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

 

SEATTLE — Federal, state and local agencies have responded to and are cleaning up a diesel spill in Portage Bay, Seattle, Monday afternoon.

 

Responders from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Incident Management Division, Washington Department of Ecology, University of Washington and contracted response companies are on scene and are placing absorbent materials to soak up an estimated 100 gallons of red-dye diesel.

 

Personnel at Sector Puget Sound received an oil spill report from the National Response Center at 11:41 a.m., reporting a diesel spill involving the Rachel Carson, a 135-foot research vessel owned and operated by the University of Washington. The spill reportedly occurred during an internal tank-to-tank transfer.

 

The vessel owners, following the Northwest Area Contingency Plan, began the response by making the NRC report, deploying boom and hiring cleanup contractors. The Marine Spill Response Corporation, Global Diving and Salvage and O'Brien's Response Management were hired to conduct recovery operations. Containment and absorbent boom is currently surrounding the spill and is not impeding vessel traffic. Absorbent pads, a vacuum truck and skimmers are aiding in fuel recovery. 

 

The Coast Guard’s federal on scene coordinator–representative will oversee the cleanup and work with state partners at Ecology and University of Washington as the spill response continues.

 

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