Date: April 10, 2011 Time: 11:30 a.m.
Media Contacts: Erik Swanson, U.S. Coast Guard, (510) 289-5794
Carol Singleton, California Dept. of Fish and Game, (916) 539-6124
Crescent City Tsunami Response Update #26
Location: Crescent City Inner Basin Harbor, Crescent City, California
Cause: Tsunami following 9.0 earthquake in Japan (March 11)
Operational Update:
• Saturday, divers de-fueled the 38-foot fishing vessel Ge Ge and removed and disposed of the vessel’s oiled remains. Divers then conducted a final survey of the clamshell work areas to locate and remove any loose oily debris from the Cyrano IV, Nellie and Ge Ge.
In the coming days, harbor pollution responders will focus on removing containment and absorbent boom that is no longer needed. Boom and work areas will be decontaminated and the unified command has begun demobilizing non-essential equipment and personnel.
• Crews have removed approximately 2,045 gallons of petroleum products from damaged vessels and 1,960 cubic yards of oily debris from the inner boat basin. A total of 1,550 feet of containment boom has been deployed during the operation.
• The current federal project ceiling from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is $3.1 million for pollution mitigation at the Crescent City Harbor. The project budget can be adjusted as needed.
• The Unified Command is working with more than a dozen local businesses, including commercial divers, restaurants and hotels, and remains committed to using local resources whenever possible.
• There are 32 personnel participating in the response effort. This includes U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Fish and Game and contractors.
• Commercial fishermen with questions about their permits and fees should call the Department of Fish and Game’s License and Revenue Branch at 916-928-7470.
Closures or restrictions:
• During crane operations, access will be limited to portions of “A” dock as a safety precaution.
• All docks are open, with the exception of those inside the gated area.
• Safety zone is in place for the inner boat basin only. The harbor is now open to vessel traffic.
Harbor operations:
Wildlife: There have been no reports of oiled wildlife. Monitoring is ongoing.
Crews deployed: U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), Harbor District personnel and oil spill response organizations.
Information numbers:
Crescent City Harbormaster’s Office: 707-464-6174 ext. 22
Report oil: 1-800-852-7550
Report injured wildlife: 1-877-823-6926
DFG’s License and Revenue Branch: 916-928-7470
Media Alert: Media interested in viewing operations should coordinate access with the Joint Information Center at (510) 289-5794. Safety procedures will be strictly enforced, so media personnel are encouraged to bring U.S. Coast Guard- certified lifejackets and hard hats, which are required to enter the operational area. The Crescent City Tsunami Responders have limited safety gear to offer interested attendees.
Photo Release:
110409-G-5394S-004 Crescent City oily debris removal
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. - Response workers remove the oily remains of the final sunken vessel that posed a pollution hazard, the Ge Ge, in the harbor inner boat basin, Saturday, April 9, 2011. The Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game and various contractors deployed as pollution response after a tsunami swept through the area, March 11, 2011, sinking the fishing vessel Ge Ge and 15 other vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson.
Photo Release:
110409-G-5394S-001 Crescent City oily debris removal
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. - Response workers remove the oily remains of the final sunken vessel that posed a pollution hazard, the Ge Ge, in the harbor inner boat basin, Saturday, April 9, 2011. The Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game and various contractors deployed as pollution response after a tsunami swept through the area, March 11, 2011, sinking the fishing vessel Ge Ge and 15 other vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson.
Photo Release:
10409-G-5394S-003 Crescent City oily debris removal
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. - Response workers remove the oily remains of the final sunken vessel that posed a pollution hazard, the Ge Ge, in the harbor inner boat basin, Saturday, April 9, 2011. The Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game and various contractors deployed as pollution response after a tsunami swept through the area, March 11, 2011, sinking the fishing vessel Ge Ge and 15 other vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson.
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