Coast Guard, partners respond to reports of oil sheen off California

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco flight crew conducts an overflight to monitor an oil sheen off of Summerland Beach in Santa Barbara, California, Jan. 7, 2023. The sheen was reported to be approx. 2 miles in length. (U.S. Coast Guard photo released)

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco flight crew conducts an overflight to monitor an oil sheen off of Summerland Beach in Santa Barbara, California, Jan. 7, 2023.  (U.S. Coast Guard photo released)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — U.S Coast Guard pollution responders are coordinating with partners in response to an oil sheen reported off Summerland Beach, Friday.

The estimated 1 and a half to 2-mile-long sheen is reported to be 5 nautical-miles off Santa Barbara. The sheen’s cause is unknown at this time.

At 2:34 p.m., Friday, watchstanders from U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara were notified by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services of a possible oil sheen in the water.

The partner agencies informed the National Response Center of the incident and planned further actions.

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter flight crew conducted an overflight of an oil sheen off Summerland Beach, Saturday.

There are no reports of wildlife being harmed from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at this time.

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