Personnel from the US Coast Guard’s Columbia River sector, along with other local agencies, responded to a diesel fuel spill from a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier at Pier 1 in the Port of Astoria on the morning of Oct. 2.
The M/V Global Gold, a 565-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, spilled 1,100 gallons of diesel fuel into the Columbia River after the vessel allided with the pier the night of Oct. 1.
USCG watch standers received the initial report from a facility security officer at about 12:50 a.m. Oct. 2 after the vessel reportedly sustained damage and was leaking diesel oil from a four-foot gash in the hull on the port side above the waterline after it hit the pier while pulling in.
Responders surrounded the Global Gold and the pier with a protective boom and then the unified command – composed of the Coast Guard, Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality, Washington State Department of Ecology and the responsible party – completed the cleanup of diesel fuel spilled near Pier 1 of the Port of Astoria, Sunday.
The Global Gold now has a soft patch in place on the damaged section of the hull and is not taking on water, according to the USCG, and all diesel fuel was either cleaned up or dissipated.
Cleanup contractors on scene at Pier 1 demobilized the morning of Oct. 4.
“The investigation phase of the response is still on-going and the Global Gold has not been cleared to take on a load or move from the pier,” USCG marine inspector at Sector Columbia River Lt. Samud Looney said. “The ship has submitted a vessel repair plan to the captain of the port that includes having the repairs completed at Pier 1.”
