SEATTLE – The Coast Guard responded to a report of a 50-gallon diesel fuel spill during the refueling of the commercial vessel Cape Horn at a facility on Salmon Bay in Seattle today.
A Coast Guard pollution response team was immediately dispatched to the scene. Contracted oil spill response personnel are currently conducting clean up and recovery.
Suspected cause of the spill was an air pocket developing in the fuel tank while refueling, which then burst causing approximately 50-gallons of fuel to be discharged through the fuel tank vents. The diesel spilled on deck and then escaped into the water.
Coast Guard spokesperson Chief Petty Officer Sean Kuhn indicated that the Cape Horn was boomed and the spill was contained.
The Coast Guard is monitoring clean up operations while the Washington State Department of Ecology is responding to the incident to conduct a follow-up investigation.
The fueling pier is owned by Covitch-Williams of Seattle. The fishing vessel is owned by Cape Horn Fisheries.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
