MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The Coast Guard has hired contractors to remove fuel, oil and other potential pollution hazards from a commercial fishing vessel that ran aground Wednesday at about 6:45 p.m. in John’s Pass in Madeira Beach.
Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., received a call from crewmembers aboard the 45-foot fishing vessel, Candace Eve, Wednesday, reporting they had run aground after experiencing propulsion problems while transiting outbound from the Tampa Bay, Fla., area.
The Coast Guard contracted Southern Waste Services Thursday to remove approximately 350 gallons of diesel fuel and other contaminates from the vessel after the owner was unable to free the grounded vessel.
“Although there have been no reports of pollution from the vessel, with the advancing storm system we needed to take the preventative measures to protect the environment,” said Lt. j.g. William Sanders, Coast Guard Sector St. Petesrburg’s incident management chief. “The Candace Eve’s captain was unable to re-float the vessel in a timely manner, and as a result, we have taken actions to protect nearby wildlife and vegetation from any potential impacts.”
No injuries or pollution have been reported.
