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Department of Ecology News Release - December 15, 2006
06-261
TACOMA – State Department of Ecology (Ecology), U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) and others are aggressively responding to five sunken vessels in Crow’s Nest Marina in Commencement Bay.
The boats were reported to the Coast Guard at about 1:38 a.m. by local boat owners. Ecology was notified by state Emergency Management Division at 7:30 a.m. State and federal spill responders and investigators have been on site throughout the day to prevent potential environmental damage.
The Crow’s Nest Marina is located at 5410 Marine View Drive in Tacoma. The marina’s breakwater tug broke loose in high winds sinking five 40-foot vessels. Collectively, the vessels hold an estimated 700-2,000 gallons of diesel.
A light rainbow sheen is currently visible around the sunken vessels. Dive teams are on scene to plug fuel tank vents and prevent diesel from leaking from the vessels. They will also place absorbent boom to contain the area.
Ecology’s spill response teams were poised and ready to respond during last night’s high winds. Spills trailers recently stationed at strategic locations along the coast added to Ecology’s preparedness in the event of a spill. In 2006, state lawmakers gave Ecology $1.45 million to place mobile oil-spill response and protection equipment in various locations across the state, including in about 40 locations throughout the Puget Sound region.
Ecology and the Guard are working together at the Crown’s Nest Marina to:
Contacts: Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology; phone
360-791-3177 (cell)
Lt. Commander Rick Rodriquez; U.S. Coast Guard; phone 206-217-6065 (office),
206-384-1042 (cell)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
