Americas News
$14,000 Fine for Seattle Oil Spill
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) announced that it has fined a U.S. towing company $14,000 for an oil spill in Seattle last year.
Dunlap Towing Co.'s tug, Manfred Nystrom, spilled 33 gallons of diesel fuel oil into the bay while fueling at the north end of Harbor Island on July 1, 2011.
A cleanup response organised by the company recovered 31 gallons of the oil.
"This spill was avoidable by a twist of a valve," said Ecology's spill response supervisor, David Byers.
"As much as we appreciate the prompt response to this spill, Dunlap's vessels, including this tug, have had several similar spills."
Dunlap tugs had had five such spills during fuel transfers over the past five years, with each event resulting in the spilling of 1 to 20 gallons of fuel.
Ecology found that last year's spill occurred because a valve that was thought to be closed was partially open, allowing fuel to continue flowing after a tank was full.
The oil flowed onto the deck and then overboard through openings that were inadequately blocked.
"We greatly regret this spill," said Robert Clinton, Dunlap director of safety and training.
"Dunlap takes environmental protection very seriously.
"Our 27 towing vessels have safely loaded approximately five million gallons of diesel fuel so far this year alone."
"We believe in constant improvement and have implemented new procedures to further reduce the likelihood of another incident of this type."
