Delaware Bay: Oil Spill Update
The unified command is continuing its clean up efforts today in response to the undetermined amount of oil that was spilled into the Delaware River by the ATHOS I on November 27.
Barges are being used to offload the ships oil cargo in order to lighten the ship for salvage operations. The barges have offloaded 5 million gallons of product so far. Transfer operations are expected to be completed this week.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Latest oil spill information:
More than 1,600 responders are working in the command center and out in the field.
145 vessels are employed in the response effort.
10,918 gallons of oil/water mixture has been recovered.
318,960 pounds of oily solids (cleanup materials and oil) have been collected.
Experts report 116 birds have been captured, 84 of which have been cleaned thus far. A separate count of 80 have been reported deceased.
Oil has impacted approximately 85 miles of shoreline.
More than 105,900 feet of containment boom is in place and absorbent boom is being used as well.
Hunting Closures:
In Delaware, hunting is closed in the Augustine Wildlife Area and Rock Tract of Cedar Swamp. All other areas remain open, however, hunters are urged to voluntarily refrain from hunting and boating on the Delaware River and tributaries south of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge until further notice. Any hunter who takes an oiled bird should contact the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge for instructions on handling the bird.
In New Jersey, hunters are asked to refrain from hunting in the area from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge east on Route 74 to the junction with the New Jersey Turnpike. South on the NJ Turnpike to the junction with Route 322. East on Route 322 to Route 45. South on Route 45 to Route 581. South on Route 581 to Route 49. East on Route 49 to Route 654. Route 654 west to Route 651. Route 651 to Route 623. Left on Route 623 to Route 658. Right on Route 658 straight onto Alloway Creek Neck Road to the Salem Nuclear Power Plant.
