WA Oil Transfer Rules Protect Waters
In September 2006, state lawmakers directed Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) to adopt stringent oil transfer rules after 4,700 gallons of heavy fuel oil spilled during an oil transfer operation at Chevron-Texaco's Richmond Beach fuel terminal in December 2003. Swift currents drove the oil ashore on the Suquamish Tribe shellfish beds at Doe-kag-wats beach and salt marsh at Indianola in Kitsap County. In 2008, nearly 15 billion gallons of oil were transferred over Washington waters by ship, fueling facility, tank truck or rail, according to Ecology reports. That equals 1.7 million gallons an hour. Since the rules went into effect, Ecology has seen reductions in the amount of oil spilled. In 2008, only about 158 gallons were spilled to Washington waters during fuel transfers.
Washington State Proposes Changes
Changes to state environmental regulations proposed by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) should reduce the risk of oil spills into Washington's waters during oil transfers. Aiming for a goal of zero oil spills, Ecology developed the draft "rules" with a special advisory committee made up of the oil industry and other citizen advocates. Changes in state oil-transfer regulations were requested by the 2004 Legislature following the Dec. 30, 2003, spill of 4,700 gallons of heavy oil into Puget Sound while a tank barge was receiving oil cargo from a Richmond Beach oil-storage facility near Seattle. "We believe these new standards can make a significant difference in the amount of oil that is both catastrophically and cumulatively dripped…
Six Safe After Boat Fire
Six people are safe after battling an early morning fire today on a 56-ft. commercial fishing boat 1 mile west of Richmond Beach near Edmonds, Wash. The crew of the tugboat Samish reported to Coast Guard Sector Seattle that the fishing vessel Carol M was on fire and was in need of assistance. Coast Guard Station Seattle dispatched a 41-ft. utility boat and Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter to assist. The Seattle Fire Department fireboat Chief Seattle and two Seattle Harbor Patrol units also responded to the fire. The crewmembers of the Carol M and the Tug Samish were able to fight the fire until the Chief Seattle arrived and contained the fire at about 11 a.m.
