Big New York Oil Spill

Tens of thousands of gallons of oil leaked into the sea from a barge at Mays Ship Repair Yard, Staten Island: containment, clean-up continues.

The US Coast Guard in its latest update reports:

• Upon investigation, the source of the fuel spill was isolated to the #2 port tank of Boston No. 30, which was carrying a max capacity of 112,000 gallons. Boston Marine Transport Inc. personnel are conducting soundings in the barge tanks to determine the actual amount of fuel spilled into the water.
• Coast Guard 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.
• There is currently 2,000 feet of boom around the barges; 13,600 feet of boom deployed at Shooter’s Island and Mays Shipyard; and 2,400 feet of boom deployed along Kill Van Kull Waterway.
• 7 skimmers are deployed at Mays Shipyard, and 11 shoreline teams deployed to affected areas.
• The majority of the spill is still recoverable and located in the immediate industrial area of the barge.  Booms have been put in place to protect Shooter’s Island Bird Sanctuary.
• 50,000 feet of boom is on scene, including what has been deployed. In addition, 10 skimmers, 6 vacuum trucks, and 2 vacuum units are en route.
• Gallagher Marine Systems, Miller’s Environmental, Kens Marine, Marine Spill Response Corporation, Clean Harbors Oil Spill Company, New York State Dept of Environment Conservation and New Jersey Dept of Environmental Protection have sent representatives to Coast Guard Sector New York’s temporary Unified Command.