SAN PEDRO, Calif. – The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR) continue response efforts associated with a fishing vessel that grounded on the east end of Santa Catalina Island, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. A Unified Command has been established to manage the response, which includes representatives from USCG, CDFW-OSPR, and the vessel owner.
A cleanup contractor has assessed the vessel, Pacific Knight, and removed 40 gallons of hydraulic oil. Additionally, the cleanup contractor observed several holes on the starboard side of the hull, but no visible pollution or petroleum odor was detected. Exterior soundings of the fuel tanks indicated that they are either empty or nearly empty.
Planned operations involve gaining access to the fuel tanks to verify and remove their contents, if any. Cleanup contractors will have personnel on scene, utilizing a 30-foot vessel, skiff, various pumps and 55-gallon drums for liquid storage.
While no wildlife impacts have been reported or observed at this time, trained responders from the Oiled Wildlife Care Network have been put on standby and will be activated should they be needed.
CDFW-OSPR has been consulting with the California Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment to consider the need to close fisheries to protect public health. No fishery closures have been recommended or enacted.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
For the latest information, visit https://calspillwatch.wildlife.ca.gov/
Contacts: uscglosangeles@gmail.com or osprpio@wildlife.ca.gov
Cal Spill Watch 