LOS ANGELES – The Coast Guard is monitoring the clean-up operations of an oil spill on Refugio Beach in Santa Barbara, Calif., that occurred Tuesday afternoon around 12 p.m.
The Coast Guard dispatched members from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara and Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach upon initial notification. The source of the spill was identified as a ruptured 24-inch pipeline. The source of the spill has been secured.
A commercial oil spill response company has been contracted to begin clean up operations.
In addition to the Coast Guard, California Office of Emergency Services, California Fish and Wildlife, county fire departments, and Exxon Mobil are currently on scene.
The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation and conduct an investigation.