PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Coast Guard pollution responders, local fire departments, and HEPACO have contained the 1,700 gallon diesel fuel spill that occurred in the intracoastal waterway between the Great Bridge bypass and Centerville turnpike in Chesapeake, Va., Friday morning.
HEPACO, a contracted emergency response and clean up company, is currently conducting removal operations.
The clean up operation is anticipated to go through the weekend and is not scheduled to be conducted during the night due to low visibility and safety hazards.
The Coast Guard is issuing a broadcast notice to mariner’s every 15 minutes stating the waterway is closed from the Great Bridge Lock to the Albermarle entrance of the ICW.
Coast Guard pollution investigators and the Department of Environmental Quality are currently on scene monitoring clean up operations.
According to federal regulations, 33CFR117.997H, the bridge, leased by the Chesapeake and Albermarle Railroad Company, is to be maintained in the open position to vessels and the draw may close only for the crossing of trains and maintenance.
The Coast Guard was first notified when watchstanders at Sector Hampton Roads received a call at 5 a.m., from a representative of the Chesapeake-Albermarle train company stating their train had derailed and was leaking fuel into the waterway.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
