SEATTLE -- This morning, the U.S. Coast Guard received a report from a tugboat master reported an oil sheen in the area south of Vashon Island, Wash.

The United States Coast Guard and Washington State Department of Ecology are establishing a unified command to coordinate response to an oil spill of unknown origin in the Commencement Bay/Vashon Island area.

A crewmember aboard a tugboat in Commencement Bay reported the spill early this morning.  The Coast Guard and Ecology have received additional reports from members of the public. 

Joint reconnaissance teams are checking waters and shorelines – via helicopter, boat and on foot -- in Commencement Bay, Colvos Passage, Dalco Passage and Quartermaster Harbor to determine the area affected by the oil spilll and any impacts to wildlife.  Thick fog hampered the response efforts early in the day. 

The unified command has hired National Response Corporation and Clean Sound Cooperative with government funds.  They are cleaning up oil and install protective booms to protect pre-identified sensitive areas, under the unified command’s direction. 

The Unified Command has been notifying local governments and tribal authorities about the spill and response operation.  Other agencies responding include the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Natural resources, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.