Oil Spilt off Hawaii Not Recoverable

The U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Health and responsible party Unified Command, are continuing oil spill clean-up efforts after the Nalani, a 95-foot towing vessel with 75,000 gallons of diesel fuel, sank off Barbers Point Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii on Thursday in 2,200 feet of water.

Initial shoreline, near-shore and over flight assessments indicate reduced sheening with most drifting in a southerly direction and not recoverable. This will naturally disperse, says the Coast Guard. At the location of the sinking there was a light sheen coming to the surface and also drifting south that is not recoverable.

Unified Command resources are conducting shoreline, near-shore and over flight assessments of south facing shores to relocate the oil sheen, and resources are ready to attempt to recover product from the water. The Hawaii Department of Health is also in the area conducting air monitoring.

The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been opened with $125,000 available for response operations. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel are looking for impacted wildlife throughout the area. 

The Unified Command is coordinating with Honolulu authorities to monitor local beaches for impact. 

The State of Hawaii has not issued any warning to the public concerning water and shoreline safety.