U.S. Authorities Respond to Barge Leaking Oil in San Francisco Bay

The U.S. Coast Guard and the California Deptartment of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response responded to the report of the capsized and sunken 112-foot freight barge Vengeance leaking diesel fuel and hydraulic oil south of the Bay Bridge on Friday, April 7.

Coast Guard responders and investigators were executing cleanup strategies for a maximum potential release of 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of lube oil.

National Response Corporation Emergency Services personnel have been contracted to deploy 3,000 feet of hard boom.

Coast Guard Station San Francisco crews enforced a safety zone in the area to ensure the safety of responders. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco have issued a safety marine information broadcast to local mariners.

No shoreline or wildlife impact has been reported.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco helicopter crew carried out an overflight of the area.

The owners of the sunken barge have contracted Global Diving and Salvage to assess the salvage response and environmental impact.

The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been opened for $50,000 for pollution mitigation.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard