Sinking Tug Boat Near Richmond Causes Oil Spill In SF Bay
RICHMOND (CBS SF) - A decommissioned Navy tug boat that is sinking near Richmond has caused an oil spill, the U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday night.
The 205-foot Tug Tiger, moored near Richmond, was found to be sinking early Sunday.
Officials responding to the scene found a black discharge coming from the tug and surrounded it with three layers of a 22-inch hard boom to contain the pollution, officials said. Global Diving and Salvage will attempt to skim the oil out of the water.
A boom was also placed around Brook's Island, a 373 square acre preserve just south of Richmond's inner harbor.
Coast Guard officials do not yet know how much oil the Tiger carried or how much it has released, and the cause of its sinking remains under investigation.
No wildlife has been affected so far, but anyone who sees oiled wildlife should call (877) UCD-OWCN.
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