Ecology issues $112,500 penalty for sunken vessel. American Gold Seafoods faces a $112,500 penalty for an oil spill caused by the accidental sinking of its vessel, the Clam Digger, in July 2013 near Anacortes. The Washington Department of Ecology investigated the cause of the sinking and spill and determined that negligence was a key factor. When the Clam Digger left Anacortes on July 10, the boat encountered high waves, began taking on water, and eventually sank. AGS immediately initiated appropriate response protocols. Divers recovered the boat six days later, but during the recovery efforts 315 gallons of oil spilled. "This spill was preventable," said Dale Jensen, who manages Ecology’s Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program.