USCG: Boxship Spills Fuel Oil into Arthur Kill Waterway

An oil spill has been reported in the Arthur Kill waterway near the Goethals Bridge, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) said.

As informed, the fuel oil was spotted leaking from an unnamed commercial containership while moored at the Global Marine New York Container Terminal in Staten Island on March 28.

The amount of fuel spilled into the waterway is currently unknown and the cause of the spill is under investigation, according to the USCG.

The coast guard further said that a containment boom has been placed around the vessel and there are multiple oil spill response vessels actively skimming.

Additionally, an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City conducted an overflight to assess the situation. Members of the New York Police Department Aviation also responded to the incident.

A Unified Command has been established on scene to coordinate cleanup efforts. A safety zone has also been established on the Arthur Kill waterway from the Goethals Bridge to Shooters Island.

“The Marine Transportation System in this area is vital to the movement of commercial goods and petroleum cargoes throughout the Port of New York/New Jersey,” Capt. Jason Tama, Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, commented.

“Our priorities are to mitigate the risk of pollution and re-open the waterway as quickly as possible,” he added.