Boat sinks at Makah Marina in Neah Bay; fuel spill being contained

Published 12:01 am Friday, December 11, 2015

NEAH BAY — A 65-foot fishing boat sank at the Makah Marina in Neah Bay today and responders are on scene to contain and clean up a diesel spill.

The vessel Black Fish was last reported as actively discharging diesel with an estimated 500 gallons of fuel on board, Coast Guard officials said.

Marina staff had placed a boom around the vessel, which contained most of the spill.

Responders from the Coast Guard Incident Management Division in Seattle were on scene, and National Response Corporation and Global Diving and

Salvage were contracted to assist, officials said.

There were no reports of affected wildlife.

“Our responders will continue to evaluate and monitor the situation,” said Lt. Trevor Siperek, assistant chief at the Sector Puget Sound Incident Management Division.

“Our goal is to mitigate any environmental damage through a collaborative effort with our agency partners and contracted cleanup personnel.”

Since the owner of the vessel has no insurance or ability to pay for the clean up, the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund was opened for $50,000, Coast Guard officials said.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.