The historic tug Dominion, a 40-meter vessel built in 1944, sank Sept. 17 in Bremerton Marina, Washington state. The incident has activated a joint deployment between the U.S. Coast Guard and the state Department of Ecology to contain a major diesel and oil spill.
Operational after sinking of the tugboat Dominion
Since the time of the sinking, the authorities have installed absorbent booms and skimmers to collect the oil released into the water. oil released into the water.. The affected area, which includes a section of the Washington Narrows, remains under surveillance. It is estimated that more than 2,500 gallons of oil have been spilled to date.
In addition, the marina has been closed to recreational fishing as a precautionary measure. The authorities have also asked the public to refrain from intervening in the event of finding contaminated fauna, indicating that specialized teams are in charge of the recovery and care of the affected animals.
Ongoing research
Dive teams inspected the tug’s hull to assess the amount of fuel remaining in its tanks. About 5,000 gallons of oil-water mixture have been recovered, while the reconfiguration of the containment booms continues according to tidal behavior.
Although traces of oil were detected in nearby coastal areas, authorities indicated that these may not be related to the Dominion tugboat. However, additional shoreline surveys are planned to ensure the identification of any contaminants associated with the incident.
Inter-institutional coordination
The response to the sinking has been led by a unified command, comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington State Department of Ecology. U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington State Department of Ecology.. This coordination model streamlines decisions and optimizes resources in the event of environmental emergencies. environmental emergencies emergencies of this type.
The cause of the sinking of the tug Dominion has not yet been determined.
Source and photo: Washington Department of Ecology.
