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.
