The fishing vessel Paloma lay on its port side near Ocean Beach, Calif., Tuesday, August 5, 2014. Coast Guard pollution responders worked closely with the National Parks Service to remove diesel fuel and any marine pollutants after the active search for the Paloma’s missing operator was suspended Monday.
SAN FRANCISCO - Coast Guard Sector San Francisco and National Park Service personnel are working together to remove any marine pollutants and primarily diesel fuel from onboard the grounded fishing vessel, Paloma, at Ocean Beach in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, Tuesday.
The active search for the boat operator was suspended on Monday night. Coast Guard responders worked closely with the National Park Service through Tuesday.
Coast Guard activated an Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) to remove the diesel fuel and any other marine pollutants onboard. It is unknown how much fuel was onboard the Paloma when it grounded; no recoverable product has been found onboard to date, and only trace amounts of unrecoverable product noted in the immediate vicinity, which quickly dissipated. Pollution recovery activities will continue until all tanks are assessed and pollution mitigated.
The National Park Service is assisting in the vessel removal efforts and has mobilized a salvage company to pull the vessel closer to shore and stabilize the vessel to enable better access to the fuel tanks. The area around the boat is closed off to the public for safety until further notice.
"The Coast Guard has a great partnership with the National Park Service," said Capt. Mike Day, deputy commander of Sector San Francisco. "We are collaborating and coordinating to resolve this unfortunate situation on Ocean Beach,"
For National Park Service media inquires, please contact 415-786-8021 or alexandra_picavet@nps.gov .