Third sunken vessel identified as pollution threat is removed from Crescent City Harbor

• The crane extracted the American Maid from the water yesterday to mitigate pollution impacts in the inner boat basin. The Ruth M and Stormy were removed on Saturday. In total, three sunken vessels identified as a pollution threat have now been removed from the harbor.
• Today’s operations will include preparing pilings for extraction from the inner boat basin, weather permitting. Pilings will be removed in order to expedite the removal of the remaining vessels that pose a pollution threat.
• Cleanup crews have removed approximately 1,428 gallons of petroleum products from damaged vessels and 1,250 cubic yards of debris from the inner boat basin. A total of 1,300 feet of containment boom has been deployed.
• The Unified Command’s primary goal is to complete pollution mitigation operations as quickly and safely as possible so Crescent City can begin restoring its harbor.
• The current federal project ceiling from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is $2.75 million for pollution mitigation at the Crescent City Harbor. The project budget can be adjusted as needed.
• The Unified Command is working with more than a dozen local businesses, including restaurants and hotels, and remains committed to using local resources whenever possible.
• There are 45 personnel participating in the response effort. This includes USCG, DFG and contractors.
• Those seeking to transfer their fishing vessel permits should contact the Department of Fish and Game’s License and Revenue Branch at 916-928-7470.

Closures or restrictions:

• During crane operations, access will be limited to portions of “A” dock as a safety precaution.
• Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., C, D, E, and F docks are open to owners of vessels within the boomed off area. Vessel owners should contact Coast Guard Auxiliary members at the Harbor Office to schedule vessel access. For emergencies only, owners wishing to access their vessels outside of that time frame may contact the Coast Guard. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Personal flotation devices are required on all docks.
• Harbor is closed to the public at night, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., until further notice.
• Safety zone is in place for the inner boat basin only. The harbor is now open to vessel traffic.

Harbor operations:

• Crescent City Harbor asks affected boat owners to contact the harbor at 707-464-6174 ext. 22 to provide the following information: Boat name, official number/VIN, fuel capacity, actual fuel on-board, and contact information.

Wildlife:  There have been no reports of oiled wildlife. Monitoring is ongoing.

Crews deployed:  U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), Harbor District personnel and oil spill response organizations.

Information numbers:

• Crescent City Harbormaster’s Office: 707-464-6174 ext. 22
• Report oil: 1-800-852-7550
• Report injured wildlife: 1-877-823-6926
• DFG’s License and Revenue Branch: 916-928-7470.