Sunken Barge Leaking Oil in San Francisco Bay

The 112-foot freight barge Vengeance is pictured after capsizing near Yerba Buena Island, Calif., April 7, 2017. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

The Coast Guard and other agencies responded to a report of the capsized and sunken 112-foot freight barge Vengeance leaking diesel fuel and hydraulic oil south of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, Friday.

Coast Guard responders and investigators are on site executing cleanup of diesel fuel and oil that has been released from the barge. The Coast Guard said the maximum potential release is estimated to be 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of lube oil.

National Response Corporation Emergency Services personnel have been contracted to deploy 3,000 feet of hard boom.

A safety zone has been established in the area to ensure the safety of responders and watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco have issued a safety marine information broadcast to local mariners.

No shoreline or wildlife impact has been reported, the Coast Guard said.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew is conducting an overflight of the area.

The owners of the sunken barge have contracted Global Diving and Salvage to assess the salvage response and environmental impact. The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response is also participating in the response.

An Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been opened for $50,000 for pollution mitigation.

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