Americas News
Singapore-Flagged Bulk Carrier Responsible for U.S. Bunker Spill
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Friday announced that clean up operations were underway after a bunker spill that was reported in the Columbia River around Singapore-flagged bulk carrier Nord Auckland, that anchored near Kalama, Washington.
The spill is reported to have been caused when the operator of the 610-foot vessel mistakenly released bunker oil intended to be burned in the incinerator.
"Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received reports of sheening in the water from National Response Center personnel at 10:05 a.m.," stated the USCG.
Pollution response experts of the Incident Management Division, which is based at Portland, Oregon's Marine Safety Unit, are reported to have arrived on scene at about 1 p.m on Thursday.
The responsible party is said to have contracted Clean Rivers Cooperative to undertake cleanup operations.
Ecology staff, who conducted overflight surveillance on Friday afternoon, are said to have observed "a number of sheening trails downriver."
Oil is also said to have been observed along shorelines and near wildlife concentrations, with assessment teams set to investigate the extent of environmental impacts further on Saturday.
The volume of bunkers spilled has not been specified, and investigations into the incident are reported to be underway.
In September, Washington State regulators reported a 70-foot fishing boat, the Tango, sank at the Port Orchard marina, spilling bunker fuel and oil into Puget Sound.
