EATTLE — First responders from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, Environmental Protection Agency, Seattle Fire Department and Port of Seattle Police Department are responding to the report of an ammonia gas leak aboard a commercial fishing vessel at Fisherman’s Terminal near the Ballard Ship Canal, Friday morning.
Ammonia gas from the fishing vessel Pacific Producer’s refrigeration system reportedly leaked into a confined space aboard the vessel, and there have been no reports of any hazardous material entering the water or surrounding environment.
Coast Guard watchstanders received the report of an ammonia gas leak at about 5:45 p.m., Thursday. Members of the Seattle Fire Hazardous Materials Response Team and arrived on scene and evacuated the vessel.
Coast Guard responders from Sector Puget Sound are on-scene acting as Federal On-Scene Coordinator. Seattle Fire personnel are monitoring the leak and using forced ventilation to clear the affected space. EPA response personnel are supporting the Coast Guard by monitoring air quality to ensure the safety of people in the area.
“Using forced ventilation pushes the gas into the atmosphere where it will naturally dissipate,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Berlin, a marine science technician with the Sector Puget Sound Incident Management Division. “We are working together to ensure that there is no danger to the public at this time.”
Seattle Fire and Port Police vessels have established an exclusionary zone around the vessel to ensure the safety of commercial and recreational mariners.
