The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(SAN PEDRO, Calif.) — Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach and California Fish and Game personnel are investigating the cause of an unintentional discharge of 710 gallons of diesel fuel oil from the Motor Tanker Aljalaa, during an internal transfer of diesel at Tesoro’s Terminal at Berth 84A in the Port of Long Beach, Monday at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The USCG, DFG, and the vessel’s emergency response management company, O’Brien’s Response Management, immediately established a Unified Command at the Tesoro Long Beach Terminal to provide an aggressive and timely response to the incident and to answer any media and general public calls.
Several oil spill response organizations responded to contain and to recover discharged product, and to minimize environmental impacts. Responders deployed 5,000 feet of containment boom around the affected areas of the wharf to isolate and control the product.
The Unified Command continues to ensure that all necessary resources are available to clean up the spill as quickly as possible. Vessel traffic is limited between the Commodore Heim and Gerald Desmond bridges at this time. Vessels transiting the area should contact the Coast Guard by radio on marine channel 16.
The Unified Command’s primary concern is for the safety of the public and responders with a focus on minimizing any impact to the environment. At this time no injuries have been reported. No wildlife impacts have occurred and teams will continue to monitor throughout the day. Anyone seeing oiled wildlife should report it to (877) 823-6926.
