SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard is responding to a report of tar balls on Pacifica Beach. A Coast Guard helicopter was diverted to conduct an initial overflight, and responders were dispatched. Pollution investigators from Sector San Francisco and California Department of Fish and Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response are on scene with more than forty contracted responders conducting clean-up operations and investigating the situation. The oil is being tested to determine the source and serve as potential evidence.
So far:
- Clean-up crews recovered 6 five-gallon bags of tar balls and oily debris from Pacifica Beach.
- Clean-up crews recovered 2 1/2 five-gallon bags of tar balls and oily debris from Rockaway Beach.
- Coast Guard pollution investigators are en route to Moss Beach and Carmel Beach in Monterey County where there have been reports of tar ball “patties.”
- Reports of tar balls at the Ocean Beach area are also being responded to; quanitity is unknown.
- A report of tar balls at Montara State Beach is also being investigated; quantity is unknown.
- Responders include Coast Guard, State and contracted personnel.
