DELAWARE RIVER OIL SPILL UPDATE #21 PHILADELPHIA – The T/S ATHOS I arrived at the Atlantic Marine Shipyard in Mobile, Ala. January 7th, 2005, for drydocking to facilitate the Unified Command’s continued investigation into the cause of the damage to the cargo and ballast tanks and to undergo repairs. The damaged area of the hull has been removed and is being returned to Philadelphia for further examination and forensic analysis. “Now that the ship is out of the water and the tanks are clean we have an “accurate estimate” of approximately 265,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Delaware River from the T/S Athos I,” said Captain Jonathan Sarubbi, U. S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Philadelphia. “We knew oil had been released from the cargo tank into the ballast tank at the time of the spill, but until now, we didn’t know how much.” According to Captain Sarubbi, once the ship was drydocked, the amount of remaining oil removed from all the tanks on the ship was measured, including the oil in the damaged ballast and cargo tanks. From this measurement, the amount attributable to the ballast tank was calculated. “An independent marine surveyor completed the calculations and provided the final estimate, so we are confident in the final number,” said Captain Sarubbi. “Because of all the variables; evaporation of oil, water in the oil, expansion and contraction of the oil due to temperature changes, we are satisfied that an “accurate estimate” is the best we can hope for.” Oil recovery operations are continuing, weather permitting, throughout the winter months. Once the gross decontamination is completed, the next step will be a detailed assessment of the contaminated areas to finalize the cleanup plan. The Unified Command anticipates cleanup operations will continue through spring and into the summer. Investigation into the cause of the spill continues. Final results of the investigation are not expected to be released for several months. Latest Updates Over 1,300 responders are working in the command center and along the Delaware River. 105 vessels are deployed in the response effort. 84,020 gallons of oil and oily liquid and 1,817 gallons of submerged oil have been recovered. 7,812 tons of oily solids (cleanup materials and oil) have been collected. 38 facilities have been grossly decontaminated with 7 currently being decontaminated. Experts report 258 birds have been released and 174 birds are reported deceased. Oil affected approximately 57 miles of shoreline from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge to south of the Smyrna River in Delaware, mainly light patches of oil and a very light sheen. Refer to the
DELAWARE RIVER OIL SPILL UPDATE #21
PHILADELPHIA – The T/S ATHOS I arrived at the Atlantic Marine Shipyard in Mobile, Ala. January 7th, 2005, for drydocking to facilitate the Unified Command’s continued investigation into the cause of the damage to the cargo and ballast tanks and to undergo repairs. The damaged area of the hull has been removed and is being returned to Philadelphia for further examination and forensic analysis.
“Now that the ship is out of the water and the tanks are clean we have an “accurate estimate” of approximately 265,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Delaware River from the T/S Athos I,” said Captain Jonathan Sarubbi, U. S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Philadelphia. “We knew oil had been released from the cargo tank into the ballast tank at the time of the spill, but until now, we didn’t know how much.”
According to Captain Sarubbi, once the ship was drydocked, the amount of remaining oil removed from all the tanks on the ship was measured, including the oil in the damaged ballast and cargo tanks. From this measurement, the amount attributable to the ballast tank was calculated. “An independent marine surveyor completed the calculations and provided the final estimate, so we are confident in the final number,” said Captain Sarubbi. “Because of all the variables; evaporation of oil, water in the oil, expansion and contraction of the oil due to temperature changes, we are satisfied that an “accurate estimate” is the best we can hope for.”
Oil recovery operations are continuing, weather permitting, throughout the winter months. Once the gross decontamination is completed, the next step will be a detailed assessment of the contaminated areas to finalize the cleanup plan. The Unified Command anticipates cleanup operations will continue through spring and into the summer.
Investigation into the cause of the spill continues. Final results of the investigation are not expected to be released for several months.
Latest Updates
Over 1,300 responders are working in the command center and along the Delaware River.
105 vessels are deployed in the response effort.
84,020 gallons of oil and oily liquid and 1,817 gallons of submerged oil have been recovered.
7,812 tons of oily solids (cleanup materials and oil) have been collected.
38 facilities have been grossly decontaminated with 7 currently being decontaminated.
Experts report 258 birds have been released and 174 birds are reported deceased.
Oil affected approximately 57 miles of shoreline from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge to south of the Smyrna River in Delaware, mainly light patches of oil and a very light sheen. Refer to the
Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Chart for detailed information.