Delaware River Oil Spill Update #8 PHILADELPHIA –Commercial vessel movements in the Port of Philadelphia continue at increased levels. There are 6 ships awaiting berth in the Port of Philadelphia. There are no restrictions for authorization for inbound ships other than vessels with a draft greater than 34 feet transiting on the high tide. Out bound ships require a request to leave the port, vessels and shipping agents requiring a departure authorization form, can obtain one from the oil spill incident website at
1 Oil tankers.
1 Chemical tank ships
0 With perishable goods
4 General cargo
There are 20 vessels awaiting cleaning before departure.
“Water quality sampling on the Delaware River is ongoing and continuous with the municipalities conducting their own sampling and anaylsis, there are no reports of problems with contamination in the water column. If there are any reports of elevated levels, we will be notified immediately,” said Mr. Ed Levine, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Scientific Support Coordinator.
Ongoing Information:
Yesterday, oil was detected on the bottom of the Delaware River in an area south of Little Tinicum Island, Pa. It is unknown how much is on the bottom. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration placed oil snares along the river. One of those snares had evidence of oil. Three sub-surface snares were positioned near Mantua, N.J., Big Timber Creek and the Lester Power Plant.
Reports from oil spill observers on the ground indicate oil has impacted approximately 70 miles of shoreline in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware stretching from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge south to Pea Patch Island. The impacts are described as ranging from very light sheening to heavy oiling.
There are two hunting closures as a result of the spill. 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.
The incident remains under investigation.
Latest reports indicate:
More than 94,000 feet of spill-control and absorbent boom is in place around the vessel and along parts of the river to protect sensitive tributaries and marshland from exposure to the oil.
There are more than 1,000 people working along the water and in the command post. Plans are in place to call in additional people to work in the cleanup along the river.
Wildlife rehabilitation experts report 76 birds have been captured, 46 have been cleaned and 36 deceased. The Coast Guard asks that the public not attempt to handle or clean affected wildlife.
Fuel transfer operations on the ATHOS I are ongoing and expected to be completed early next week depending on weather conditions.
Important Phone Numbers:
To report areas affected by oil from the ATHOS I incident, please call 267-765-3439.
To report animals affected by the spill, please call the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at 215-365-1558.
Volunteers who have specialized training handling oiled and injured wildlife can contact Julie Bartley at Tri-State Bird Rescue 302-737-9543, ext. 102. Please do not use this number to report oiled wildlife.
People impacted with a financial loss and owners of recreational vessels oiled or damaged as a result of the ATHOS I oil spill should contact the claims number to begin the claims process. 866-401-0353.
Delaware River Oil Spill Update #8
PHILADELPHIA –Commercial vessel movements in the Port of Philadelphia continue at increased levels.
There are 6 ships awaiting berth in the Port of Philadelphia.
1 Oil tankers.
1 Chemical tank ships
0 With perishable goods
4 General cargo
There are 20 vessels awaiting cleaning before departure.
There are no restrictions for authorization for inbound ships other than vessels with a draft greater than 34 feet transiting on the high tide. Out bound ships require a request to leave the port, vessels and shipping agents requiring a departure authorization form, can obtain one from the oil spill incident website at
www.incidentinfo.com“Water quality sampling on the Delaware River is ongoing and continuous with the municipalities conducting their own sampling and anaylsis, there are no reports of problems with contamination in the water column. If there are any reports of elevated levels, we will be notified immediately,” said Mr. Ed Levine, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Scientific Support Coordinator.
Ongoing Information:
Yesterday, oil was detected on the bottom of the Delaware River in an area south of Little Tinicum Island, Pa. It is unknown how much is on the bottom. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration placed oil snares along the river. One of those snares had evidence of oil. Three sub-surface snares were positioned near Mantua, N.J., Big Timber Creek and the Lester Power Plant.
Reports from oil spill observers on the ground indicate oil has impacted approximately 70 miles of shoreline in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware stretching from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge south to Pea Patch Island. The impacts are described as ranging from very light sheening to heavy oiling.
There are two hunting closures as a result of the spill. 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.
The incident remains under investigation.
Latest reports indicate:
More than 94,000 feet of spill-control and absorbent boom is in place around the vessel and along parts of the river to protect sensitive tributaries and marshland from exposure to the oil.
There are more than 1,000 people working along the water and in the command post. Plans are in place to call in additional people to work in the cleanup along the river.
Wildlife rehabilitation experts report 76 birds have been captured, 46 have been cleaned and 36 deceased. The Coast Guard asks that the public not attempt to handle or clean affected wildlife.
Fuel transfer operations on the ATHOS I are ongoing and expected to be completed early next week depending on weather conditions.
Important Phone Numbers:
To report areas affected by oil from the ATHOS I incident, please call 267-765-3439.
To report animals affected by the spill, please call the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at 215-365-1558.
Volunteers who have specialized training handling oiled and injured wildlife can contact Julie Bartley at Tri-State Bird Rescue 302-737-9543, ext. 102. Please do not use this number to report oiled wildlife.
People impacted with a financial loss and owners of recreational vessels oiled or damaged as a result of the ATHOS I oil spill should contact the claims number to begin the claims process. 866-401-0353.