In San Joaquin County, crews are working an incident over the weekend where a tug boat became submerged and was leaking diesel fuel into the San Joaquin Delta.
Both the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), the states lead agency for oil spill prevention, response and restoration, as well as the US Coast Guard responded. The incident occurred in the Little Potato Slough in San Joaquin County. Cleanup and salvage plans being developed. No wildlife impacts observed.
The sheriffs office called this an “accident” and boaters are urged to avoid the area, and those already in the area are urged to use caution. No timetable for when they will be able to get the boat out of the water has been released.
According to a post by the San Joaquin County Sheriff:
It has been brought to our attention that a submerged tug boat in the Empire Tract area, near Herman and Helen’s, is currently leaking diesel fuel and oil into the Delta Waterway. Our Boating Safety Unit and ground units are currently on scene coordinating efforts to contain the spill.
We have contacted outside agencies to assist, including Environmental Health, Office of Emergency Services, Fish & Wildlife, Woodbridge Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard Pollution Response Team. We urge everyone to avoid the area and take caution if in the vicinity.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe both on and off the water.
No other information has been released.
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