Gallons of diesel fuel was reported to have spilled into Seattle’s Elliott Bay, an estimated 2,500 to 5,000 Gallons after a hose failed during a fuel transfer operation aboard a U.S. Navy vessel, prompting a large-scale environmental response from state and federal agencies.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon while fuel was being removed from the USS Sampson, which was docked at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island.
According to the Washington Department of Ecology, the hose malfunction released diesel into the water, triggering an immediate response to contain and recover the fuel.
Officials said the exact volume spilled remains under investigation, but preliminary estimates place the discharge between 2,500 and 5,000 gallons.
Response crews from the Department of Ecology, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy and other partner agencies deployed containment booms and skimming equipment around the affected area in an effort to limit the spread of the diesel and protect nearby shorelines and marine habitats. Officials said cleanup operations are expected to continue as crews assess the extent of the contamination.
Environmental officials are monitoring water quality and evaluating any potential impacts on wildlife in Elliott Bay. While diesel fuel can evaporate more quickly than heavier petroleum products, it can still pose risks to fish, birds and other marine life, particularly in the immediate aftermath of a spill.
Authorities have not reported any injuries related to the incident, and the cause of the hose failure remains under investigation.
The Navy and state regulators will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the spill as cleanup efforts move forward.
