NJ: 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel leak into Sandy Hook Bay

By Associated Press, 9/14/2000 22:12

SANDY HOOK, N.J. (AP) A cleanup operation was under way Thursday after 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from a U.S. Navy vessel into Sandy Hook Bay and left a slick 1-3/4 miles long and 1/2 mile wide.

U.S. Coast Guard officials said the fuel leaked from a 4-foot hole in the hull of the USS Detroit, a Navy refueling vessel that was mooring about 4:20 p.m. on Thursday at the Naval Weapons Station Earle Pier.

The Coast Guard has begun an investigation to determine what caused the hole, according to Petty Officer Angelo Patti.

Patti said none of the fuel appears to have reached land.

''We haven't had calls from people complaining,'' he said.

Crews pumped fuel out to a point below the hole to stop more fuel from leaking into the bay, Patti said.

The Coast Guard has closed the bay to boat traffic. Patti said officials don't know how long it will remain closed. ''We've set up a security zone. Sandy Hook channel is closed,'' he said. ''Patrol boats are keeping pleasure boats and others out.''

A Navy response team, a Coast Guard pollution response team and two boats from private contractors are involved in the cleanup, according to Patti.

He said the Navy is using a skimmer, a boat that separates the fuel from the water and sucks it out. One of the contractors is using 8,000 feet of boom and the other is using 5,000 feet in the effort to contain the leak, he said. The fuel leak flowed northwest, according to Patti. He said it is too early too determine what effects the leak will have on wildlife in the area.

''Hopefully, with this many people responding and the equipment available it should eliminate most effects,'' Patti said.

He also said it is too early to determine how long cleanup operations will take.

The USS Detroit is based at Naval Weapons Station Earle Pier. [ http://www.boston.com/dailynews/258/region/30_000_gallons_of_diesel_fuel_:.shtml

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), September 15, 2000