‘Pollution incident’ off San Juan Island after fuel spill from sunken fishing boat

There are concerns about a fuel spill that’s fouled part of the Salish Sea. Footage posted online shows the U.S. Coast Guard has already put up a boom to prevent diesel from making its way into a small bay on San Juan Island which is in the USA, east of Victoria, B.C.

The fuel is coming from the Aleutian Isle, a 20 metre fishing vessel that went down Saturday.

“After the fishing vessel Aleutian Isle sank in the vicinity of Sunset Point, a sheen was observed spanning more than two miles and was reported to have entered Canadian waters during the evening hours,” said the US Coast Guard, which is in charge of the response.

The Coast Guard calls this a “pollution incident.”

“The vessel was reported to have approximately 2,500 gallons (11,365 litres) of diesel fuel and a combined 100 gallons (455 litres) of hydraulic fluid and lubricant oil aboard. The maximum capacity of the fuel tank is 4,000 gallons. The vessel continues to release small amounts of diesel,” it said in a Sunday evening statement.

#EveningUpdate – The Unified Command continues to oversee response efforts. Our latest press release can be found here: https://t.co/pjIQuvNyhE

Stay tuned for more updates. pic.twitter.com/58TaPClqtm

— USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) August 15, 2022

It adds some Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) were in the area of the spill but it’s unclear if they’ve been affected.

“While some members of the SRKWs were near the southern tip of San Juan Island at the time of the incident, no SRKWs were observed to be in the immediate proximity of the affected area and recent reports show them moving west in the Port Angeles area.”

British Columbians can report marine pollution to the Canadian Coast Guard at 1-800-889-8852.

Commercial divers and salvage teams arrived on scene Saturday and a plan is in the works to “efficiently and safely enact containment and recovery of pollutants, removal of potential pollutants from the sunken vessel, and potential salvage of the wreckage,” the Coast Guard said.

Related article: U.S. Coast Guard reports fuel spill near Vancouver Island coast

The Aleutian Isle is now more than 100 feet (30 metres) below the surface.

“This and other factors are being taken into account as dive and salvage personnel develop a plan of action which must be approved by the unified command,” the Coast Guard said.

“Contractors developed a plan and worked to pre-stage equipment on San Juan Island earlier. Diving operations are expected to commence on Monday, Aug. 15 and divers will work to conduct an on-scene assessment, plug the vents and then begin the defueling process.”