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Department of Ecology News Release - May 7, 2008
08-115
OLYMPIA – The oyster harvesting vessel that sank early Tuesday has been raised, allowing the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Coast Guard to determine that 75 gallons of fuel likely spilled into Grays Harbor.
According to Ecology’s on-scene spill responder Doug Stolz, the majority of the fuel likely spilled before anyone discovered the vessel had overturned. Response personnel searched up the John’s River and out in Grays Harbor to see if there were pockets of fuel. None were seen. Ecology believes that the spilled fuel has spread out and dissipated through evaporation and dilution by tides and current.
Damage occurs immediately when fuel enters the water, harming aquatic organisms and fish. However, no injured birds or wildlife have been found.
The contractors hired by Coast Seafoods, which owns the oyster dredge, raised the Bay Point around 8 p.m. Tuesday. All of the remaining fuel was pumped out of the two onboard tanks and oil removed from the hydraulic system by 11 p.m.
The Bay Point was moored at Coast Seafoods’ dock, at the mouth of John’s River and Grays Harbor, when it sank. No one was on board at the time. The cause of the Bay Point sinking is still unknown.
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Media Contacts: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
