ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology are responding to a vessel that leaked diesel fuel in the Columbia River near Longview, Wash., Wednesday.
The Coast Guard was notified by Ecology at approximately 1 p.m., that the 100-foot former fishing vessel Tiffany, moored on the south side of Lord Island approximately 4 miles downriver from Longview, was leaking diesel from cracks in a fuel tank in its port bow.
The Coast Guard dispatched incident management personnel from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and contracted Cowlitz Clean Sweep to place oil containment boom around the vessel, assess how much diesel is on board and a determine the best strategy to remove the fuel.
Ecology initially investigated the incident after receiving reports of a half-mile-long sheen reported on the Oregon side of the Columbia River.
The diesel leak was stopped at approximately 3:10 p.m. with a patch.
The Coast Guard and Ecology are on scene working with contractors to determine the best method to remove fuel from the vessel and mitigate negative impact on the environment.
The Coast Guard is attempting to reach the vessel’s owner.
