ALAMEDA, Calif. – A Unified Command with representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), and Rio Vista County Fire Department has been established in response to a sheen observed near Threemile Slough, between the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, Tuesday evening.
Watchstanders at Station Rio Vista and Sector San Francisco received a report at approximately 7:30 p.m., of a half mile sheen and odor of gasoline near Threemile Slough. Watchstanders then reported the incident to the National Response Center.
Overnight personnel from the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Incident Management Division, the Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, and Republic Services, an oil spill removal organization arrived on scene and are responding to the incident.
The source of the sheen was determined to be a partially submerged 70-foot vessel, the vessel is still actively discharging petroleum products and the maximum potential has yet to be determined. The location near the sheen has been designated a sensitive site due to the location between the two rivers, as well as its proximity and potential impacts to federally protected resources and wildlife.
A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin air crew conducted an overflight at first light to assess the incident.
The Coast Guard has opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for initial response and assessments.
For more information, please contact padetsf@uscg.mil.