Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to pollution after vessel hits rock near Jones Island, Wash.
Jul 19th, 2016
A sheen can be seen near the 48-foot fishing vessel Gladstone that struck a rock near Jones Island, Wash., July 18, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
SEATTLE — Coast Guard and Washington Dept. of Ecology personnel responded to pollution caused after a vessel hit a rock near Jones Island, Monday evening.
Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound incident management division personnel opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and contracted Global Diving and Salvage to mitigate any further pollution from the vessel.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget were notified at 4:36 p.m. by a TowBoat U.S. crew that a 48-foot fishing vessel struck a rock and was taking on water.
Two Good Samaritans responded and removed the owner safely from the boat.
The vessel reportedly had up to 900 gallons of diesel fuel aboard, 700 gallons were recovered from the vessel.
Other agencies aiding in pollution response include Island Oil Spill Association and Vessel Assist.
“Ensuring the safety of the maritime environment, including responding to pollution incidents, is a core mission of the Coast Guard,” said Lt. j.g. Matthew Bolton, response officer, Sector Puget Sound Incident Management Division. “We take all reports of pollution very serious and will work with our state and local partner agencies as well as porfessional orginizations to ensure a proper response and cleanup.”
Vessel Assist sealed the vessel’s hull and transported it to Deer Harbor Marina where Global Diving and Salvage will conduct defueling operations.