The 610-foot Singapore-flagged bulk carrier Nord Auckland is pictured with bunker oil spilled down the vessel’s hull while anchored near Kalama, Wash., Feb. 18, 2016.
Reportedly, the 610-foot Singapore-flagged vessel released bunker oil due to operator error that was intended to be burned in the incinerator.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class William Russell.
A sheen in the water created by a bulk oil spill from the 610-foot Singapore-flagged bulk carrier Nord Auckland is pictured while the vessel was anchored in Kalama, Wash., Feb 18, 2016.
The responsible party contracted Clean Rivers Cooperative to handle cleanup operations
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class William Russell.
SEATTLE — Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology personnel are overseeing pollution cleanup after sheening was reported around the bulk carrier Nord Auckland anchored near Kalama, Thursday.
The responsible party contracted Clean Rivers Cooperative, who has two booming vessels on scene with crews engaged in cleanup operations.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received reports of sheening in the water from National Response Center personnel at 10:05 a.m. Pollution response experts from the Incident Management Division, based at Marine Safety Unit Portland, Oregon, arrived on scene at approximately 1 p.m.
Ecology staff participated in an overflight surveillance this afternoon and observed a number of sheening trails downriver. Some oil was observed near shorelines and near wildlife concentrations. Their assessment teams will mobilize tomorrow morning to further investigate the extent of environmental impacts.
Reportedly, the 610-foot Singapore-flagged vessel released bunker oil due to operator error that was intended to be burned in the incinerator.
The incident is under investigation.