The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Coast Guard and local response crews continue to conduct cleanup operations Thursday along the Halifax River near Ormond-by-the-Sea.
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command Center watch standers received a call Wednesday at approximately 3:45 p.m., stating the tugboat Tutahaco was reportedly discharging bilge oil in to the river. An estimated 100 gallons of bilge oil was discharged.
Response crews are working to remove the remaining oil aboard the tug. They deployed 600 feet of containment boom and more than 1,500 feet of absorbent boom around the tug and affected area to minimize the environmental impact. Crews are using pads and vacuum trucks to conduct cleanup operations.
The cause of the leak is under investigation.
PREVIOUS REPORT
(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — The Coast Guard is responding Wednesday to a tugboat leaking oil on the Halifax River in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command Center watch standers received a call at 3:45 p.m. from the National Response Corp., stating a resident in the area informed them the tugboat Tutahaca was leaking oil.
Coast Guard pollution responders arrived on scene at approximately 6:20 p.m. and are working to contain the spill and to identify and secure the source of the leak.
The Coast Guard activated the Oil Spill Removal Organization to assist with cleanup efforts.
The cause of the leak is under investigation.
