USCG Takes Action on USNS Fisher Oil Spill

July 11, 2014

A US Coast Guard Sector Boston pollution response crew is responding to an oil spill from the USNS Fisher, dry docked at the Boston Ship Repair facility.

The spill, estimated at approximately 11,000 gallons, is self-contained in dry dock and there is currently no oil in the water.

At approximately 9 p.m., Wednesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Boston received a report of an oil spill in the vicinity of Drydock Avenue, in Boston.

Responders include a Coast Guard Sector Boston facility and pollution response team, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the Boston Fire Department.

Response teams placed 600 feet of double boom around the dry dock to ensure no oil enters the water and six commercial vacuum trucks were deployed to clean up the spill.

“This is a classic example of how partnerships and consistent training help us respond quickly to pollution incidents,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeanette Wheatley, a marine science technician at Coast Guard Sector Boston. “Our goal now is to continue to mitigate the impact to the environment and port, and to monitor air quality levels in the surrounding area.”

In an average year, the Coast Guard responds to 250 reports of pollution in the northeastern U.S.

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Press Release, July 11, 2014; Image: Dvids