SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to a fishing vessel Sunday that ran aground in Bodega Bay, Calif.
Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center watchstanders were notified at 1:24 a.m., that the 54-foot fishing vessel Verna A II, had run soft aground near Salmon Creek Beach.
When the master’s efforts to refloat his vessel were unsuccessful, a motor lifeboat crew was launched from Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay, along with two swimmers and a crew aboard a personal watercraft from Bodega Bay Fire. The master was removed from the vessel and transported to the beach due to safety concerns.
The vessel is aground near freshwater wetlands neighboring the highway one bridge. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been opened for $50,000 and Parker Diving and Salvage has been hired to conduct fuel and oil removal operations.
Parker Diving and Salvage arrived on scene at approximately 5:45 p.m., and removed 475 gallons of diesel fuel, 15 gallons of hydraulic oil and 22 gallons of lube oil from the vessel.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel have partnered with Parker Diving and Salvage to remove the vessel from the beach, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
“The quick response of Station Bodega Bay and Bodega Bay Fire allowed for this rescue and successfully mitigated a pollution risk,” said Capt. Tony Ceraolo, the commander of Sector San Francisco.
A watch schedule has been implemented to monitor the vessel until it can be refloated. The vessel is reported to be stable and securely anchored.
