At press time, the Coast Guard approved a repair and transport plan for the Bouchard Transportation B-120 barge responsible for the Buzzard's
Bay oil spill. The swift current in the Cape Cod Canal prevents divers from installing a patch at the current location. The barge will be moved from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne, Mass., to the Esco fuel terminal in Sandwich, Mass., for temporary repairs before continuing to New York. The Coast Guard and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts continue to direct the clean up operations in the Buzzard's Bay oil spill. Clean up statistics to date are:
-- More than 750 people are involved in shoreline clean up and spill management operations.
-- An estimated 175 volunteers are involved in wildlife rehabilitation and related activities.
-- Assessment and cleanup crews are being sent to the Westport Beach and South Shore Point areas of Rhode Island.
-- A 50-person crew is scheduled to clean Ram Island.
A marine casualty investigation into the cause of the oil spill is ongoing. Any fines or penalties will be assessed when the findings of the investigation are complete.