Oil Leaks from Containership Matsonia in Oakland

The 45-year-old containership Matsonia leaked oil on February 21 as it was moored at the Matson Terminal in Oakland, California.

Crewmembers aboard the 217-meter, Matson-owned vessel noticed a sheen around their ship shortly after mooring and initiated the ship’s vessel response plan.

They notified the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Response Center of the sheen and placed containment boom around the ship to contain the sheen.

Divers contracted to investigate the sheen discovered a fracture in the hull of the U.S.-flagged ship approximately 15 feet below the waterline adjacent to the starboard fuel tank.

Crewmembers completed the internal transfer of the heavy fuel oil to other fuel tanks throughout the ship on February 22 to mitigate the potential for more fuel to enter the water.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a barge is expected to arrive on Friday to offload fuel from the 1,750 TEU Matsonia.