Coast Guard, Ecology Crews Respond To Fuel Spill Near San Juan Island

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard and state ecology crews continued work Monday to clean up a diesel and oil spill after a fishing boat sunk Saturday evening off San Juan Island. Coast Guard officials set up a unified command Sunday morning and coordinated a response to reach the sunken "Aleutian Isle" near Sunset Point.

Officials said there was a visible sheen spanning more than two miles, and the vessel reportedly crossed into Canadian waters. At the time of its sinking, officials said the vessel was carrying 2,500 gallons of diesel and 100 gallons of hydraulic fluid and lubricant oil.

The Coast Guard deployed crews alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, The Whale Museum and Sound Watch to monitor the area overnight for marine mammals, including any Southern Resident Killer Whales. Fortunately, officials said no Southern Residents appeared to be in the immediate vicinity of the pollution zone.

A Coast Guard Cutter remained on scene to direct vessels around the area, while commercial divers and salvage teams work to contain and recover pollutants. Coast Guard officials said the Aleutian Isle was approximately 100 feet beneath the surface.

In updates shared late Monday morning, the Coast Guard shared drone footage of the spill area and said more than 2,100 feet of absorbent booming had been deployed to help capture oil from the water's surface. Dive teams continued work to secure vents and empty the ship's remaining fuel into a tank.

Readers can find updates on the containment effort via the Washington State Department of Ecology.