Americas News
USCG Removes Safety Zone Following Istra Ace Bunker Spill
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) says that, following a bunker spill on March 13 in the Port of Los Angeles (Port of L.A.), which was linked to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) vessel Istra Ace, the safety zone around the spill area was removed Thursday, noting the channel is now open to all vessel traffic.
As Ship & Bunker reported Tuesday, the USCG said the spill may have been caused by faulty piping on board the ship.
The USCG is said to have issued the safety zone in order to restrict recreational and commercial vessel traffic in order to expedite clean-up efforts and prevent contamination.
Clean up efforts are said to be continues their clean-up efforts that began Sunday evening. Contractors, hired by the responsible party are reported to be still underway, working to clean the affected area, including vessels, docks, pilings, and other structures.
While reports have surfaced of a varying number of oiled birds having been found, the USCG did not explicitly confirm these reports, stating only that "California Fish and Wildlife recovery teams have reported observations of potentially-oiled birds," adding "the teams remain actively engaged in wildlife recovery."
Last week, operations at the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge are said to have been halted temporarily as a result of the spill, preventing vessel traffic from transiting under the bridge.
