USCG and partner agencies are responding to an oil spill that occurred in the Arthur Kill waterway near the Goethals Bridge, Thursday afternoon, after fuel-oil leaked from a commercial container ship while moored at the Global Marine New York Container Terminal in Staten Island.
The amount of fuel spilled into the waterway is currently unknown and the cause of the spill is under investigation. Containment boom has been placed around the vessel and there are multiple oil spill response vessels actively skimming.
Additionally, an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City conducted an overflight to assess the situation.
Members of the New York Police Department Aviation also responded to the incident, while a Unified Command has been established on scene to coordinate cleanup efforts.
The Captain of the Port has established a safety zone on the Arthur Kill waterway from the Goethals Bridge to Shooters Island.
Coast Guard Sector New York Vessel Traffic Service is monitoring all marine traffic in the immediate area.
The Marine Transportation System in this area is vital to the movement of commercial goods and petroleum cargoes throughout the Port of New York/New Jersey. Our priorities are to mitigate the risk of pollution and re-open the waterway as quickly as possible,
…said Capt. Jason Tama, Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey.