TACOMA, Wash. – A full-scale response by trained oil-spill responders continues this morning in and around Dalco Passage to clean up an estimated 1,000 gallons of spilled oil that was first reported early yesterday morning.

The origin of the spill remains under investigation.  Samples of the spilled substance have been collected and the process has begun to match the samples to the vessels traveling through the area late Wednesday night to early Thursday morning.

Commander Mark Dix, United States Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Commander Representative said, “The U.S. Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology are directing the spill response under a unified command.”  In addition, response contractors Clean Sound Cooperative, National Response Corporation Environmental Services, Global Diving and Salvage, and Cowlitz Clean Sweep are participating in the cleanup.

“So far there have been no injuries reported and air sampling tests indicate there is no risk to the public from vapors,” said Paul O’Brien, Ecology’s response manager. “We are doing everything possible to recover the oil and minimize damage to the environment.”

Helicopter reconnaissance to determine where oil has moved overnight is taking place this morning as fog conditions allow.  Beach inspection crews are checking shorelines to determine whether additional beaches have been oiled.  Wildlife experts are looking for oiled and injured birds and animals. 

Skimmers are resuming on-water cleanup and beach cleanup crews are resuming their work on the southern tips of Vashon and Maury islands. 

As night fell yesterday, oil was visible on the south end of Maury Island west into Quartermaster Harbor and the south shore of Vashon Island. It had also traveled north through Colvos Passage and south past the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

By the end of the day yesterday, more than 60 field personnel were working on 13 workboats and 10 skimmers in the vicinity of Vashon and Maury islands and Quartermaster Harbor. Three helicopters were directing the skimming activity and providing information to the unified command about the location and size of the spill.

Contractors worked through the night to deploy boom in pre-designated sensitive areas in Quartermaster Harbor and Gig Harbor. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and its contractors, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, International Bird Rescue and Research Center and Islands Oil Spill Association have been alerted and an initial assessment of impacts to wildlife will take place this morning. The public is asked to report signs of oiled wildlife to 1-800-22BIRDS. 

People should stay away from oiled wildlife to reduce stress to the animals. Capturing oiled wildlife poses a safety threat to the public and to wildlife.

In order to provide immediate response to the news media and the general public regarding the oil spill, a Joint Information Center (JIC) has been established in conjunction with the spill’s unified command center.

All media calls regarding the status of the spill response effort will be handled through the JIC. The JIC and unified command post are located at the Tacoma Fire Department Training Center, 2124 Marshall Avenue, Tacoma, WA.

A news conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at the command post.

To file a damage claim related to the spill, please call 1-800-280-7118.