Watch Out For Tar Balls In Point Pleasant Area, Coast Guard Says

The weather may be cold, but soon enough, it will be warm enough to wade in the water at the Jersey Shore.

When it is, watch where you're stepping.

The Coast Guard has issued an alert to New Jersey and New York beachgoers that they could be stepping on some tar balls since a recent Goethals oil spill continues to impact the shoreline.

During shoreline assessments conducted Sunday afternoon, members of Coast Guard located a 400-yard-by-2-feet band of tar balls at Jacob Riis Park in the Rockaways.

Four teams in New York and one team in New Jersey were deployed to conclusively determine the presence of any pollution to beaches that were identified as possible impact areas, according to the Coast Guard.

As teams continue to survey the beaches, they will assess the shoreline to determine if tar balls are present. If they do come across any evidence of oil on the beach, the teams will provide a report based on their observations, according to the Coast Guard.

Those reports are used by operations to determine future clean-up strategies.

“We took aggressive steps investigating and confirming those reports in order to determine the scope of our response,” said Capt. Jason Tama, commander Sector New York and the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. “Our priorities continue to be responding to this incident ensuring the safety of the public, wildlife and the environment.”

Officials encourage anyone who observes any impacts from this spill to contact the Coast Guard command center immediately to assist in response efforts as the investigation of this incident continues.

Beachgoers and waterway users are advised to avoid contact with the tar balls. If anyone does come into contact and gets the oil on their skin or clothes, they should wash their hands with soap and warm water and clothes immediately, officials say.

For all claims, for reports of oiled wildlife, reports of tar balls, and for media queries please call 866-601-5880.