Coast Guard Responds to Delaware Oil Spill

Published Mar 11, 2015 9:37 AM by The Maritime Executive

The Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to an oil spill that happened near Wilmington, Delaware, Monday, and a report of a quarter-mile sheen Tuesday in the Delaware River near Pennsville, New Jersey.

The National Response Center relayed the report of the sheen Tuesday to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay at about 1:30 p.m.

The Coast Guard and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources are also responding to oil spilled from a foreign freight ship Monday near Wilmington. A barge flying Argentina flags was refilling when it overfilled and began spilling oil into the water, according to officials.

Coast Guard pollution responders, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, and crews from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are responding to the report of the sheen.

Initial reports for Monday’s spill indicated 400-500 gallons spilled on the vessel’s deck, with approximately 100 gallons entering the Delaware River.

The amount and source of the oil spill and sheen are under investigation. There hasn’t been any reports of the oil traveling farther up the river, and residents and wildlife do not appear to be in danger.