UPDATE 7: Coast Guard responds to report of fuel oil in Mobile Ship Channel

MOBILE, Ala. — A crew of contractors work to clean oil from the hull of a ship in the Mobile Ship Channel, Sept. 6, 2011. The spill occurred at the Gulf Coast Asphalt facility when a tank of #6 fuel oil was overfilled, causing a release of an unknown amount of oil. The Coast Guard is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the Environmental Protection Agency and contracted Oil Spill Response Organizations to manage the clean-up process. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — A contractor throws a bag of oiled debris from a work boat to a dock in the Mobile Ship Channel, Sept. 6, 2011. The spill occurred at the Gulf Coast Asphalt facility when a tank of #6 fuel oil was overfilled, causing a release of an unknown amount of oil. The Coast Guard is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the Environmental Protection Agency and contracted Oil Spill Response Organizations to manage the clean-up process. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — Clean-up crews pull oiled debris out of the water in the Mobile Ship Channel, Sept. 6, 2011. The spill occurred at the Gulf Coast Asphalt facility when a tank of #6 fuel oil was overfilled, causing a release of an unknown amount of oil. The Coast Guard is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the Environmental Protection Agency and contracted Oil Spill Response Organizations to manage the clean-up process. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

For video of vessel decontamination, click the image above.

MOBILE, Ala. — The unified command for the Mobile Ship Channel oil spill is continuing its joint response, Tuesday, to the release of fuel oil at the Gulf Coast Asphalt, LLC., here, Thursday.

Inclement weather passing through the area caused the temporary suspension of clean-up operations on the Mobile Ship Channel. Today, operations resume as weather conditions became safer and more manageable for crewmembers.

"Safety of our responders is a priority," said Capt. Don Rose, Federal on Scene Coordinator. "Now that the foul weather has abated, we are getting our resources back out on the water to continue the clean up and recovery operations."

Gulf Coast Asphalt has been working in conjunction with Oil Spill Response Organizations to contain the spill.

Approximately 21,900 feet of containment boom has been deployed, as well as 13 drum skimmers, one Marco skimmer, 15 vacuum trucks to assist in clean-up efforts and 68 vessels assigned to the response.

A temporary safety zone is in place between Three Mile Creek and the south end of the Mobile Convention Center. This safety zone is needed to protect vessels and persons from potential safety hazards associated with the oil spill. All vessels must use a safe minimum speed and minimal wake when entering or transiting through the zone. Vessels must comply with all orders of the Coast Guard on scene patrol vessels. All concerned traffic may contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Ch. 16 or at 251-441-5976.

To report oiled wildlife, contact the unified command wildlife group at 713-705-5897. For information on transiting the safety zone contact Coast Guard Sector Mobile at 251-441-5670. To report oil sightings contact the National Response Center 1-800-424-8802. For up-to-date port and river information go to www.homeport.uscg.mil . For information concerning vessel decontamination call 251-441-5201. For claims due to damages associated with this spill call 1-866-450-9214.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.