Coast Guard responds to half-mile-long diesel leak in the Columbia River

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 incident was initially investigated after reports of a half-mile-long sheen on the Oregon side of the Columbia River.

The Coast Guard dispatched incident management personnel from 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.

The Coast Guard says a crack in the fuel tank was patched Wednesday afternoon, but agencies are working with contractors to remove the fuel and threat to the environment.

The Coast Guard is attempting to reach the vessel’s owner.

For more information see: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1558263/News-Release-Coast-Guard-Washington-Dept-of-Ecology-respond-to-diesel-fuel-leak-in-Columbia-River

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