USCG, Commercial Tugs Respond to Tanker

The Coast Guard, along with commercial tug vessels, and the California Department of Fish and Game responded to a vessel, which lost propulsion on Jan. 27, just outside the Golden Gate Bridge.

At 5:24 p.m., the Petroleum Oil Tank Ship Overseas Cleliamar lost power shortly after transiting under the Golden Gate Bridge while outbound from San Francisco enroute to its next port of call in Ecuador. Within ten minutes, the crew was able to drop the starboard anchor to stabilize the vessel's position, restored power and backed down under its own power. The vessel had previously discharged its cargo during its port call at Martinez and was carrying no cargo at the time of the incident.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco immediately launched the Coast Guard Cutter Pike, an 87-foot patrol boat from Yerba Buena Island, three response vessels from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate, and a helicopter from Air Station San Francisco. Four tug boats also responded to assist.

At 7:22 p.m., an overflight conducted by the Coast Guard helicopter yielded no sign of oil and a visual sweep of the vessel's hull did not indicate any damage.

The initial assesment by all vessels on scene showed no signs of pollution, and no injuries were reported by any of the 32 crew members onboard. The Coast Guard conducted alcohol testing on the pilot, the master of the vessel, and additional crewmembers with negative results. Additional tests are pending.

Two commercial oil response boats, the Coast Guard Cutter Pike and assets from Station Golden Gate, Station San Francisco, Station Vallejo will remain on scene through the night and into the morning. An overflight will be conducted by the Coast Guard at first light Wednesday morning.

Coast Guard Marine Inspectors and Investigators attended the vessel and will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident. The Overseas Cleliamar is 741 ft, 38,653 gross tons,  and is registered in the Marshall Islands.