Americas News
MOL Vessel Linked to Spill During Bunkering at Los Angeles
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) vessel, the Istra Ace, has been linked to a bunker spill in the Port of Los Angeles (Port of L.A.) after the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said they had determined that a hatch on the cargo vessel was not made water tight during a bunkering operation on Sunday, local media reports.
It is reported that the leaking hatch was located on the opposite side of the vessel as the bunkering barge, with Captain Jennifer Williams of the USCG noting that operations were ceased once crew members noticed an oily odor and sheen on the water.
While the amount spilled has not been announced, the USCG says the incident was reported around 7:25 p.m. on Sunday, with clean up crews responding soon after.
Fire department crews are said to have been responsible for placing approximately 15,000 feet of boom around the ship to contain the spill.
The vessel is reported to have been tilted to one side to prevent prevent further leakage, while authorities are said to have been planning aerial surveys to get a better idea of the size of the spill.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Christian Corbo of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife says the organisation has received two reports of "oiled wildlife" and specialists have been dispatched to investigate the validity of the report.
In May, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared a state of emergency following an oil spill from an on-shore pipeline, which initial estimates placed at around 2,500 barrels, or 105,000 gallons.
