U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.
A leaking fuel barge spilled an undetermined amount of fuel oil into the waters of Kill Van Kull, on Staten Island’s North Shore yesterday.
While transferring oil from one barge to another near Mariner’s Harbor, Staten Island, Boston Marine Transport employees noticed the fuel leaking into the water. Coast Guard was notified of the incident and the spill was reported to have come from a leak in one of the Boston No. 30 barge’s cargo tanks.
NEW YORK – The Coast Guard is responding to fuel oil discharged from a barge in Kill Van Kull at Mariner’s Harbor, Staten Island N.Y., Dec. 15, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.
The Boston No. 30 was carrying 112,000 gallons of fuel oil. Tests are being conducted to determine the actual amount of fuel spilled into the water and oil spill response teams have placed additional containment boom and absorbent material around the two barges.
From the US Coast Guard News Release: A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City helicopter crew performed an over flight assessment of the area at first light this morning. Coast Guard Sector New York pollution responders continue to investigate the impact of the spill.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.
- Sector New York pollution responders, along with several personnel from local and state agencies are currently working to mitigate the spill’s impacts on the economy, the environment and public health.
- On water recovery forces: four skimmers operating, three more skimmers are en route, two shallow water barges, two more en route. Shoreline protection; 10,000 feet of boom deployed, 13,600 en route.
- Both the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are actively involved in the spill response and mitigation effort.
- A broadcast notice to mariners is in place advising mariners to transit the area with caution due to pollution. All waterways remain open.
- Gallagher Marine has established a temporary phone number for vessel owners to call to report oiled vessels. Please call 703-683-4700 to make a report.
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
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December 17, 2012 at 10:36 am
Bill
The spill in the KVK at this time of year reminds me of the spill that happened this time of year -December- about 20 or so years ago.
There were 2 different barges and two different companies involved.
One barge came out of the BP marine terminal in Pt Nwk.
AT that time the temp was in the 20′s and the cleanup lasted past
New Years. The USCG was heavily involved and we met on
Governors Island to co-ordinate clean up efforts. The end result of this
incident was higher insurance and eventually double hull barges .