Dept. of Ecology: Response to diesel-fuel spill at Tacoma's Hylebos Waterway wraps up

The Washington State Dept. of Ecology has reported that state, federal and local responders recovered most of the diesel fuel spilled into a boomed area from a fishing tender at the mouth of the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma Saturday morning. As of Saturday evening, the area around the vessel remained boomed and absorbent pads were left to capture any residual fuel under the dock. The Dept. of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard, Tacoma Fire Department and Washington State Maritime Cooperative responded to the spill which occurred about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. The 195-foot fishing tender, “Eastern Wind,” spilled approximately 100 gallons of diesel while transferring fuel within the vessel — from one tank to another. The vessel’s owner, Trident Seafoods, had placed oil-containment boom around the vessel prior to fueling as is its practice, so boom was already in place when the spill occurred. A clean-up contractor, NRC-Environmental Services, assisted with the spill response.