Officials are assessing the damage caused by a diesel spill from the tugboat “Tulalip” that sank Feb. 22, off of Lopez Island. The tugboat had 400 gallons of diesel on board.
Global Diving and Salvage used a crane to lift the tugboat out of the water. Due to wind conditions, officials were unable to place the boom down to contain the diesel which spilled into the water.
Ty Keltner, communications manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology Spills Response team, said diesel is a lighter oil that evaporates and degrades quickly in the environment.
Contractors raised the tugboat Feb. 22 and prepped it for removal. (Photo courtesy of Department of Ecology)
The Office of Response and Restoration says most diesel will evaporate or naturally disperse within a few days or less. While toxic to fish and invertebrates who come in direct contact, diesel evaporates at such a rapid pace that fish kills have never been reported in open water. In the case of large diesel spills (more than 5,000 gallons), high mortality of animals and plants is expected.
Investigators will look at how much diesel was still on the boat when it was lifted out and make a close estimate of how much was released into the water.
So far, there have been no reports of any residual damage to the shoreline, Keltner said.
The investigation will also look into finding out what caused the boat to sink and assess what American Construction, the owners of the tugboat, will need to do in the future to prevent future incidents.
