Trident Seafoods fined $25,500 for Salmon Bay oil spills

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - January 23, 2009

09-024

Trident Seafoods fined $25,500 for Salmon Bay oil spills

BELLEVUE – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Trident Seafoods Corporation (Trident) $25,500 for two spills from the same vessel to the Lake Washington Ship Canal in Seattle last year.

The crab-fishing vessel Billikin released 230 gallons of diesel fuel to the water on June 6, 2008 during a fuel transfer between on-board tanks. The vessel was preparing for a return to service after a three-year layup. A gauge to monitor the level in the receiving tank gave a false reading, and the tank overflowed. Ecology investigators determined that the equipment, having been out of service for the long period of time, should have been checked and serviced before it was put back in use.

On June 17, 2008, while moored at a fueling dock, the Billikin released half a gallon of diesel fuel to the water during another fuel transfer between on-board tanks. In this case, Ecology investigators found that improperly labeled control valves misled the crew into filling the wrong tank, which caused the overflow.

Ecology and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to both spills to oversee Trident’s cleanup efforts.

“I appreciate and am encouraged by Trident’s efforts over the past few years to upgrade its fleet and train its officers and crews to prevent spills,” said Dale Jensen, who heads Ecology’s Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program. “Trident responded quickly and cooperated fully to clean up after these Seattle spills. Preparation, caution and attention should have prevented these spills from happening in the first place.”

Trident has embarked on a series of safety and spill-prevention reforms within its 42-vessel fleet, prompted both by Ecology and the Coast Guard, and the company’s own initiatives. Among the changes made or under way:

Pre-boom all vessels while moored in Washington, and close all openings that allow water to drain off deck while at sea, but can contain spills in port.
Manage the fleet through measures including: annual reviews of oil transfer procedures, weekly checks of fuel and hydraulic systems, and annual updates of fuel and hydraulic system diagrams and valve labels.
Place permanent containment on as many fuel tank vents as possible, and minimize the length of hydraulic hose exposed to weather on deck.

“Trident Seafoods deeply regrets these spills and we take full responsibility for the incidents,” said Bob Nelson, spokesperson for the company, “We understand the importance of being a good environmental steward and believe any spill is unacceptable.”

Trident may appeal the penalty within 30 days to Ecology or to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board.

Ecology’s spill programs are part of the department’s ongoing efforts to reduce toxic threats to people and the environment and to achieve the state’s goal of restoring and preserving Puget Sound.

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Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009; cell 206-920-2600
David Byers, Ecology Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program, 360-407-6974
Bob Nelson, spokesperson, Trident Seafoods, Corporation, 206-783-3818

For more information:
Earlier news releases on Trident Seafoods vessel spills:
Nov. 14, 2008: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2008news/2008-293.html
May 29, 2008: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2008news/2008-144.html

Ecology spill prevention and technical assistance:
Prevention: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/prevention/prevention_section.htm
Assistance: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/technical_assistance/main.htm