SS Catala Shipwreck - WA State Dept. of Ecology

Washington State Department of Ecology

SS CATALA HOME

CLEANUP PLANS:

Cleanup Progress Reports
- January 2007
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
Global Written Report:
SS Catala Survey Report
(pdf)
SS Catala Survey Result (ppt)
Planned actions (pdf)
Contingency plans (pdf)

Final Update September 2007 (pdf)

The SS Catala shipwreck near Ocean Shores, Washington. Oil in the hull poses an environmental risk.

Spring 2007

Cleanup activities at the SS Catala site on Damon Point are about to begin. The public is welcome to walk on the beach and observe the work from a safe distance. However there are several cautions. Please stay behind any construction fencing. The area is also home to several nesting shorebirds. Please use caution to not disturb the shorebird habitat.

About the Catala Shipwreck

The wreck of the SS Catala is rising from her sandy grave at Damon Point State Park near Ocean Shores, Washington, and bringing with her the risk of environmental damage from old, sticky oil from within her hull.

The Catala, rich in Northwest history, ran aground on January 1, 1965 during a storm, and through the years, mostly disappeared beneath the sand. Recent high winds and seas are peeling back the sand, once again exposing the rusty remains. A beachcomber discovered oil leaking from the old hull in April, 2006.

The area near the Catala is considered important habitat for migrating waterfowl and marine birds during April and May, while gray whales migrate just offshore, or feed in the bay during this time. The area also features critical habitats for a wide range of fish, shellfish and wildlife species, including Dungeness crab, harbor seals, salmon, trout and herring, and is one of only a few nesting sites for the Snowy Plover and Streaked Horned Lark, both considered sensitive species.

The Washington State Department of Ecology began efforts to safely remove the remaining oil from the Catala, after the risk of disturbing nesting shorebirds like the Snowy Plover and the Streaked Horned Lark had passed. Ecology is coordinating the removal efforts with state, federal and local agencies, and response contractors.