OREGON INLET, N.C. – The Coast Guard continues to work with federal, state and local agencies to mitigate the potential for a fuel oil spill from the motor vessel Makayla & Noah aground at Pea Island Wildlife Refuge Friday.
The Coast Guard opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund Thursday and hired the environmental response company IMS to recover the diesel fuel and other potential pollutants from the vessel. Heavy weather and the remote location have hampered pollution response efforts over the last 24 hours.
The Makayla & Noah drifted from anchor onto the beach at the refuge south of Oregon Inlet early Thursday morning after the Coast Guard rescued the vessel operator late Wednesday.
Four lead-acid batteries have already been removed from the 55-foot catamaran and the fuel tanks have been plugged and sealed to prevent leakage. Operations are ongoing to remove the estimated 350 gallons of diesel fuel remaining onboard the stricken vessel.
