COSCO BUSAN UNIFIED COMMAND UPDATE

DATE: November 08, 2007 11:23:23 PST

District 11 Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: Nov. 8. 2007

Contact: Unified Command

Joint Information Center

510-772-8865

Cosco Busan Unified Command Update

SAN FRANCISCO -- More than 200 people are responding to the COSCO BUSAN oil spill. There are five skimmers in the Bay and three skimmers outside of the
Golden Gate Bridge working to recover spilled oil. A skimmer is a mechanized oil recovery system. It utilizes a belt that is made from a a material that attracts oil. 18,000 feet of boom has been placed around the Bay Area to protect the Beaches and wildlife. Two overflights were conducted this morning to evaluate the movement of
the spilled oil and to assist in the directing of oil spill response vessels. Oil is now reported to be as far south as Hunters Point, east of Treasure Island and Angel Island, up through Raccoon Straits and Brook Island along the San Francisco city waterfront and past the Golden Gate Bridge as far north as Tennessee
Point in Marin County.

Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) and National Response Center (NRC) reports an estimated 58,000 gallons of bunker fuel was leaked into the San Francisco Bay yesterday with approximately 8,000 gallons recovered. Due to potential health concerns, Baker Beach, Fort Point, Crissy Field, China Beach, Kirby Cove, Rodeo Beach,
Muir Beach and Angel Island shoreline are closed to the public. The Ferries are still running to Angel Island.

California Department of Fish and Game has reported six live oiled birds have been recovered. The public is asked to report any injured and or oiled wildlife and not to approach or handle as there may be safety concerns. Oiled Wildlife reporting hot line: 877-823-6926.

Oil sightings and claims number: 985-781-0804.

A 100-foot safety zone is in place around the COSCO BUSAN which is currently moored at Anchorage Nine and a 100-foot security zone is
being enforced around the affected tower, tower D, of the Bay Bridge.

Response and recovery efforts will be continuing throughout the day to include shoreline assessment teams.

An investigation as to the cause of this incident is being conducted by the Coast Guard.

###

U.S. Coast Guard- More than one million lives saved since 1790.

printer friendly