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May 15, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Fuel spill closes Penn Cove for shellfish harvest
WHIDBEY ISLAND – The state Department of Health has closed all commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting in Whidbey Island’s Penn Cove because of an oil spill from a sunken crab boat.
The closure, effective immediately, is the result of tests that showed contamination as the diesel fuel reached mussel beds.
Also today, divers plugged a leak in the sunken Deep Sea that was spewing one or two gallons of diesel a minute into Penn Cove.
Skimmers and absorbent booms were deployed by the clean-up contractor. Divers also have pumped 1,900 gallons of fuel out of the vessel and continue working today
Petty Officer Nathan Bradshaw says the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is paying for the cleanup, and the Coast Guard will seek to recoup the money.
The 128-foot derelict fishing boat caught fire Saturday and sank Sunday in 50 feet of water.
Comments | More in Environment, General news, The Blotter | Topics: fuel spill, Penn Cove, Whidbey Island
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