USCG Cutter Accidentally Discharges 500 Gallons Of Diesel Fuel Near Fort Bragg

The United States Coast Guard recently stated that one of its vessels, the Coast Guard Cutter Alder, accidentally discharged roughly 500 gallons of diesel fuel about 30 miles offshore of Fort Bragg, California.

The incident occurred Friday morning while the Alder was travelling to Humboldt Bay. The 225-foot buoy tender vessel is part of the Juniper class and is based in San Francisco.

The Incident Management Division of Coast Guard Sector San Francisco has assumed command of the issue, swiftly informing interagency stakeholders and initiating an inquiry into the cause of the oil spill.

Furthermore, they are conducting assessments to determine potential impacts on sensitive areas. Fortunately, no projected coastline impacts exist.

The commander of District Eleven, Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, emphasized the Coast Guard’s dedication to safeguarding the environment and avoiding such tragedies. The Coast Guard’s proactive approach demonstrates its commitment to protecting coastal communities and marine habitats.

The discovery of about 85 gallons of “lightly weathered crude oil” close to Huntington Beach off the coast of Southern California prompted this event. Affected aquatic birds were retrieved, and approximately 1,050 pounds of sand, tar balls, and oily waste were cleared from the beach during subsequent cleanup operations.

Remarkably, both incidents occurred over two years following a major oil leak in October 2021, which resulted in the temporary closure of beaches due to the release of up to 131,000 gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach.

The prompt action taken by the Coast Guard highlights the value of proactive environmental stewardship. It draws attention to current initiatives to reduce the adverse effects of maritime accidents on wildlife and coastal ecosystems.

Reference: USCG

USCG Cutter Accidentally Discharges 500 Gallons Of Diesel Fuel Near Fort Bragg appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News