The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(MIAMI) — The Coast Guard is overseeing the pollution response after a fire aboard the 120-foot motor yacht Andiamo on Watson Island, and it has opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
The OSLTF was opened for $300,000 for pollution mitigation operations and to provide plans for salvage of Andiamo. The vessel has a maximum potential of 10,566 gallons of diesel. Resolve Marine Group Inc. has been contracted for fuel removal and pollution mitigation. It was reported that Tow Boat US will be conducting salvage operations of the yacht.
Pollution responders deployed boom around and on the vessel to mitigate any pollution risks to the environment and contain potential spillage from the vessel.
Coast Guard Sector Miami watch standers received a report from a fire rescue team Wednesday at approximately 8 p.m., stating Andiamo was on fire at the Island Gardens Marina and rescue teams were responding. The watch standers issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Miami Beach 45-foot response boat-medium crew to assist.
Once on scene, the Coast Guard boat crew and a Miami Police Department marine unit established a safety zone and assisted with evacuating other vessels from the marina. No injuries were reported.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the fire.
The OSLTF provides an immediate source of funds for federal responses to oil spills and compensation for certain damages. The regulatory procedures of the National Contingency Plan establish a framework for coordinating a federal response with state and local officials.
