USCG Investigates Reported Fuel Spill

The Coast Guard and California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel are investigating a reported fuel spill that occurred near Pier 45 at Fishman’s Wharf in the San Francisco Bay on Saturday.

At approximately 10:56 a.m., Coast Guard Sector San Francisco personnel received a report that an undetermined amount of fuel oil was discharged into the water from the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, a fully functional World War II Liberty Ship. Coast Guard Incident Management Division personnel immediately dispatched a pollution response Federal On-scene Coordinator’s Representative to confirm the report and assess on-scene conditions.

Once on scene, the FOSCR confirmed the source of the fuel spill had been secured, and the SS Jerimiah O’Brien had contracted an Oil Spill Response Organization to deploy resources to recover the discharged fuel and prevent further environmental impact. The spill reportedly occurred during an internal transfer of product on board the SS Jeremiah O’Brien.

Additionally, a MH-65 helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco and small boat from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate were deployed to the area to investigate and located a 100-by-150-yard sheen. The responsible party’s Oil Spill Response Organization is putting out 5,000 feet of boom around the subject vessel, Fisherman’s Wharf and other environmentally sensitive areas tonight. Vacuum trucks and skimming vessels will commence recovery operations on Sunday morning.

The Coast Guard investigates and responds to all oil spills and hazardous material releases occurring or threatening to occur within the maritime environment. On-scene coordinators are working dilligently with California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure the SS Jeremiah O’Brien is taking every action necessary to achieve a prompt and satisfactory cleanup effort.

The cause of the fuel spill is under investigation.

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Press Release, September 22, 2014; Image: Wikimedia