Shipwreck pollution threat monitored
Nearly a month after a 90foot fishing boat ran aground on the Marin coast, the wreckage remains in place while specialists assess the risk of environmental damage.
A team of marine engineers and safety experts has been enlisted to determine how much fuel is aboard the American Challenger, which drifted to shore on March 6. So far, the contractors have evaluated 13 of the 17 tanks onboard, but progress was halted when the ship shifted, making work conditions unsafe, a state spokesman said.
“Our priority remains protecting public health and the environment,” said Eric Loughlin of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response. “The coalition continues to explore all options to remove the pollution threat from the environment.”
However, Loughlin said, “It’s ultimately unknown whether or not the vessel will be removed.”
Loughlin said the 13 tanks assessed were a combination of fuel tanks, fish holds and ballast tanks. Contractors were not able to detect substantial amounts of fuel on preliminary inspections. It’s still unknown how much fuel is on board, he said.
Next week, the investigations team will determine how safe it is to board the vessel. Then investigators hope to get on board to finish the evaluation of the ship as early as next week, pending weather and ocean conditions, Loughlin said.
“The vessel’s steel hull remains lodged firmly on rocks
and cannot easily be removed. The safety of our employees and contractors is our top priority,” Loughlin said.
Other entities monitoring the boat include the Coast Guard, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
The incident happened while the boat was being towed south from the Seattle area, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The tugboat became disabled when a rope got tangled in its propeller.
Rough sea and poor visibility forced the tug crew to discontinue the job, the department said. The tugboat was towed to Sausalito, and the fishing boat drifted into the rocks south of Estero de
San Antonio.
As a precautionary measure, a crew deployed 4,000 feet of boom — a floating barrier used to contain spills — to protect habitat, including the oyster beds, in Tomales Bay.
There was some minor oil sheening seeing near the crash site, but no oiled wildlife has been reported, which is relief for West Marin oyster farmers, said John Finger, chief executive officer of Hog Island Oyster Co.
“We’ve been really impressed with the response of the Coast Guard to put the booms out,” Finger said. “As for the fate of the boat, that’s a bit disconcerting. What would it take to remove the vessel from that area? Is it going to break apart? If so, who is responsible? We don’t know.”
“It’s in a hard spot,” Finger said.
The team is posting updates on its investigation to bit.ly/3sLM5Qn.