Coast Guard buoy tender spills fuel off California coast

(ALAMEDA, Calif.) — The Coast Guard cutter Alder, a 225-foot buoy tender home-ported in San Francisco, accidentally discharged approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel 30 miles offshore of Fort Bragg on Friday morning.

Alder was en route to Humboldt Bay when the incident occurred. Members of Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Incident Management Division notified interagency stakeholders and are investigating the oil spill and cause. They also evaluated potential impacts to sensitive sites. There are currently no anticipated shoreline impacts at this time.

“We are investigating the incident and are working diligently to minimize any potential environmental impacts,” said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, commander, District Eleven. “Our priority is to protect the environment and prevent any future incidents.”

– U.S. Coast Guard

Flickr file photo
By Professional Mariner Staff