The US Coast Guard is responding to a diesel fuel spill that took place in the Arthur Kill Waterway near Port Reading, New Jersey, on Thursday September 6. All fuel transfers at the facility are temporarily suspended.
Watchstanders at US Coast Guard Sector New York received a report of a diesel fuel spill during a product transfer at the Buckeye Terminal in Port Reading.
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Because of high winds and rain at the time of the incident, facility personnel could not calculate the exact amount of fuel spilled into the waterway.
A pollution response team from US Coast Guard Sector New York is currently on scene to help mitigate the situation. An oil spill removal organization has been contracted to clean up the spill, and they have placed containment boom in the water.
One barge was involved in the spill and is inside the containment boom. The federal on scene coordinator and marine inspectors from Sector New York are currently evaluating the condition of the barge.
All fuel transfers at the facility are temporarily suspended until investigators can determine the cause of the spill and the facility can safely carry out fueling operations.
US Coast Guard Sector New York Vessel Traffic Service is also monitoring all marine traffic in the immediate area.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
