Cosco Busan Spill Response
Joint Command

Date: Nov. 9, 2007

Contact: Unified Command
Joint Information Center
(510) 772-8865,         
(510) 846-1307

Cosco Busan Incident Response Update

SAN FRANCISCO - - (Nov. 9, 2007)  This morning the Unified Command for the Cosco Busan incident response held a press conference to give updates on the oil spill clean-up efforts.  The U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game and the Responsible Party are in full cooperation as the Unified Command and met with San Francisco city officials to discuss concerns related to volunteers and the use of city resources.

The following updated information has become available: 

• 73 live, oiled birds are being rehabilitated
• There have been 19 confirmed deceased birds reported
• 11 skimmers are currently deployed on the water
• 10 wildlife recovery teams are on the beaches with additional teams joining Friday afternoon
• Over 9,500 gallons of fuel oil have been recovered as of Thursday night
• Over 18,000 feet of boom has been placed around the area to soak up and corral the oil
  
• More than 200 people from over 19 federal, state, and local agencies are involved with the response efforts.  Beginning tomorrow there will be an additional 200 trained responders to supplement the initial response team.
• The public is reminded that they should avoid areas and wildlife that are oiled, as untrained persons may cause further damage, while attempting to assist.
  

• Alameda County of Emergency Services
• California Coastal Commision
• California State Parks & Recreation
• California Department of Fish & Game
• National Park Service
• Marin County Office of Emergency Services
• City of Richmond
• Contra Costa County Health Services
• Port of Richmond
• East Bay Regional Parks
• Emeryville Cove Marina
• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Marine Sanctuaries
• Port of San Francisco
• San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services
• San Mateo Police Department
• San Francisco Bay Conservation Commission
• City and County of San Francisco

The following beaches have been closed for public access until further notice:

• Aquatic Park
• San Francisco Municipal Pier
• Fort Point
• Baker Beach
• China Beach
• Fort Baker
• Mile Rock Beach
• Kirby Cove
• Rodeo Beach
• Tennessee Valley
• Muir Beach
• Angel Island
  

Ocean Beach is currently open, and Crissy Field has reopened.

The following agency representatives addressed the public during this morning's press conference regarding the status of the current operations:  Rear Adm. Craig Bone, Commander 11th District USCG; Bevan Dufty, Acting Mayor, San Francisco; Barry McFarland, The O'Briens Group, Incident Commander for Responsible Party; Lt. Rob Roberts, California Department of Fish and Game, State On Scene Commander; Capt. William Uberti, Federal Onscene Coordinator; Darrell Wilson, Public Information Officer for Regal Stone Ltd; Rudy Evenson, National Park Service; Jordan Stout, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration; Dave Matthews, California State Parks; Ross Wheatley, Senior Investigator, USCG.

Members of the public who are interested in volunteering for wildlife recovery efforts are asked to go to www.owcn.org for more information.  Information sessions on wildlife care activities and how the public can receive proper training to participate will be held tomorrow, Saturday Nov. 10, in the Bay Area.  Details on the location and times of these sessions will be announced once confirmed.  Before reporting oiled wildlife, please call 877-823-6926, and to report oil sightings, please call 985-781-0804.

  FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES VISIT www.owcn.org          TO REPORT OIL SIGHTINGS, CALL 985-781-0804          TO REPORT OILED WILDLIFE, CALL 877-823-6926