Friday, March 27, 2015

UP TO 600 GALLON DIESEL SPILL RESULTED WHEN A FISHING VESSEL SUNK NEAR LA PUSH, WASHINGTON




 


MARCH 27, 2015

LA PUSH, WASHINGTON



Personnel from the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Incident Management department are responding to a report of a sunken vessel and diesel sheen near La Push. 


The local harbormaster placed boom around the site to contain any further pollution and the Coast Guard is currently en route to assist with the cleanup. They are expected to arrive later this afternoon.


Sector Puget Sound watchstanders received a report from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River personnel stating that while they were doing a morning bar check, they noticed the 35-foot fishing vessel Nellie M sunk at the local marina.


The current amount of fuel spilled is unknown at this time, but a maximum potential of 600 gallons of diesel fuel is reportedly aboard the vessel.


As the area is a National Marine Sanctuary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been notified. The cause of the sinking is under investigation.


Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound located in Seattle has responsibility for Coast Guard pollution response in the region.