SAN FRANCISCO – The California Department of Transportation, Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game and other partner agencies are currently working to coordinate a safe and environmentally sound strategy to remove the grounded fishing vessel along the San Mateo Bridge, today.
On Tuesday evening, the fishing vessel Big Timber lost propulsion and ran aground, after an allision with the San Mateo Bridge during a storm that brought high winds and heavy seas to the bay. Two crewmembers aboard were rescued by the Coast Guard Cutter Tern and the other climbed on the bridge, after the vessel struck it.
The Coast Guard contracted the National Response Corporation to remove 1300 gallons of diesel fuel, which was successfully recovered Wednesday. As weather and sea conditions improved on Friday, contractors were able to deploy a network of hard boom at collection points just north and south of the vessel. The containment and recovery strategy has been effective in removing any sheen created by oiled debris coming from the vessel.
Multi-agency assessment teams conducted shoreline surveys throughout sensitive environmental sites north and south of the vessel and have reported no oil spill impacts.
CALTRANS, Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game and partner agencies continue working together to develop a comprehensive vessel removal plan that will ensure a safe and environmentally sound approach.
