Coast Guard Monitors Oil Recovery Ops near Bayonne, NJ

Coast Guard crews are continuing to monitor oil recovery operations (ORO) in the water near the International-Matex Tank Terminal (IMTT) Bayonne, New Jersey, Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York received notification at approximately 10 p.m. Saturday from IMTT crewmembers of an oil spill as a result of an allision between a tug and a fuel terminal pier.

The Coast Guard immediately launched members from the Sector New York Pollution Response Team to investigate. A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, also responded.

At this time, it is estimated that less than 1,000 gallons of oil entered the water and contracted crews are in the process of recovering the product. Coast Guard pollution responders and IMTT crewmembers launched more than 2,500 feet of containment boom and secured the source of the oil.

Coast Guard, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation crews continue to patrol by vehicle, watercraft and aircraft to ensure no oil has made it out of the containment boom area. No wildlife has been affected as a result of the oil at this time.

Coast Guard crews will continue to monitor the oil spill and assist contractors in recovering the product in the water.

The Coast Guard urges the public and boaters to not come in contact with the oil and remain a safe distance the oil recovery operations.