Coast Guard, partner agencies responding to oil spill in Arthur Kill waterway

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 1st District PA Detachment New York Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment New York Office: (212) 514-4291 After Hours: (917) 703-0983 PA Detachment New York online newsroom

Coast Guard, partner agencies responding to oil spill in Arthur Kill waterway

UPDATE includes quote from the Captain of the Port. All other information remains the same. 

 NEW YORK — The Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to an oil spill that occurred in the Arthur Kill waterway near the Goethals Bridge, Thursday afternoon.

 At approximately 2:00 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York received a report of fuel-oil possibly leaking from a commercial container ship while moored at the Global Marine New York Container Terminal in Staten Island. 

 The amount of fuel spilled into the waterway is currently unknown and the cause of the spill is under investigation. Containment boom has been placed around the vessel and there are multiple oil spill response vessels actively skimming.

 Additionally, an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City conducted an overflight to assess the situation. Members of the New York Police Department Aviation also responded to the incident.

 A Unified Command has been established on scene to coordinate cleanup efforts.

 The Captain of the Port has established a safety zone on the Arthur Kill waterway from the Goethals Bridge to Shooters Island. 

 Coast Guard Sector New York Vessel Traffic Service is monitoring all marine traffic in the immediate area. All concerned vessel traffic should contact Vessel Traffic Service at 718-354-4088 or the Sector Command Center at 718-354-4152.

 “The Marine Transportation System in this area is vital to the movement of commercial goods and petroleum cargoes throughout the Port of New York/New Jersey,” said Capt. Jason Tama, Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey. “Our priorities are to mitigate the risk of pollution and re-open the waterway as quickly as possible.”

 

-USCG-