The Coast Guard and Washington State Dept. of Ecology are investigating a sheen at the site of the derelict 431-foot barge, Davy Crockett, on the Columbia River near Camas, Wash., after more oil was discovered leaking from the vessel into the river Thursday.
Responders first went to the scene over the weekend when an oil sheen was reported around the Davy Crockett, after it broke free from its moorings and ran aground on the river’s northern bank.
Ecology received reports Thursday of a light, non-recoverable sheen extending into the Port of Vancouver, Wash., area, and responders traced it back approximately 8.5 miles to the site of the Davy Crockett.
Contractors, already hired by the vessel’s owners, are working with Coast Guard and Ecology responders to determine the source of the sheen. More boom has been placed around the ship; absorbent material is being used to soak up some of the oil.
Divers from Ballard Diving and Salvage Co. are trying to determine the exact source of the oil. Responders don’t know how much oil remains aboard the vessel.
The vessel is located outside of the shipping channel and does not pose a hazard to navigation.
The Coast Guard and Ecology will continue to work closely together on all future pollution incidents in an effort to prevent pollution from impacting the environment to the greatest extent possible.
Thanks for this bit of news Kathleen. Any idea how it originally grounded there or why it was left?
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