By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program
Late Tuesday night (March 15), Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard, North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, and a cleanup contractor are at the scene of a 40-foot sunken pleasure boat at a private dock at Indianola in Kitsap County.
At about 7 p.m., North Kitsap Fire and Rescue responded first to a report that the boat sank while moored at the dock. Firefighters placed boom around the boat to contain leaking fuel. The boat reportedly is carrying 100 to 150 gallons of fuel. Ecology and Coast Guard responders are at the site.
The boat owner has hired a private cleanup contractor to send down a diver to plug vents on the boat to prevent a fuel spill. The boat owner reportedly plans to try to raise the vessel on Wednesday.
The Coast Guard encourages boat owners to make sure their vessels are secured during severe winter weather. For more information, see Winter storms, ice and snow can sink boats, pollute Puget Sound.
Washington’s natural resources are always put at risk whenever oil is spilled or hazardous materials are released to the environment. All oil spills matter, regardless of size. The damage starts as soon as oil hits the water. Oil products are poisonous to the environment and they add to the toxic load to our water bodies. Spills also are difficult and costly to clean up. That’s why Ecology works to prevent spills from occurring in the first place.
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