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| The vessel during early morning hours of July 30 before it was completely destroyed by the surf beginning around 9:00am PST. Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard. |
Date: July 30, 2011
Contact: 13th District Public Affairs(206) 220-7237
Coast Guard, Department of Ecology respond to diesel oil leak near Gray's Harbor, Wash.
SEATTLE – The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology responded to a diesel fuel leak Saturday after the 40-foot fishing vessel, Miss Elora, grounded on Westhaven State Park Beach located near the mouth of Gray’s Harbor, Wash.
At 4 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., received a report that two people were on board when the vessel ran aground and subsequently launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Ore., and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Station Gray’s Harbor.
The response crews were called off after the two fisherman were able to make it ashore safely via dinghy.
The Coast Guard and Department of Ecology began working with contractors to have the diesel fuel removed from the vessel, but the vessel’s rapid deterioration resulting from the heavy surf, made that impossible.
The vessel owner was able to recover approximately 100 gallons of diesel; however, approximately 250 gallons of diesel were leaked into the water and have been deemed unrecoverable due to the heavy surf conditions.
The Washington State Parks Department is currently working with the vessel owner to recover the debris on the beach.
For additional information contact the Coast Guard duty public affairs specialist at (206) 819-9152 or Jani Gilbert, Department of Ecology, Media Relations at (509) 990-9177.
