Oil Spill in SF Bay

[obeygiant]

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- Most of the oil that spilled into San Francisco Bay when a container ship struck the Bay Bridge will never be retrieved and eventually will be absorbed into the ecosystem, authorities said Friday.

The U.S. Coast Guard, which was heading the response to the 58,000-gallon spill, acknowledged miscommunication with local officials, but insisted it didn't impede their efforts to corral the oil.

Tides carried the heavy fuel that poured from the ship's oil tank under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the Pacific Ocean, fouling miles of coastline, closing several beaches, canceling weekend outdoor events and threatening thousands of birds and other marine life. It is believed to be the biggest spill in the bay since 1988.

Oil skimmers and shoreline cleanup crews continued mopping up the damage. But as the oil spreads and dissipates, crews will find "diminishing returns" in their skimming efforts, said Barry McFarley, whose private recovery firm the O'Brien Group was hired by the ship's owner to handle its response to the spill.

On Friday, 9,500 gallons of oil had been sucked up. Lt. Rob Roberts, an investigator with the California Department of Fish and Game, said by the weekend most of the oil will be beyond containment and capture. Most of the fuel will dissolve into the water, but some globules could remain and cause problems for birds for months.

"Oil and feathers don't mix," said Yvonne Addassi, a wildlife biologist with the Department of Fish and Game. "This is not good for the birds."

Fish and Game officials said they have received hundreds of reports of oiled birds found on Bay Area beaches. So far, 73 live birds have been recovered and sent to a recovery center in Solano County; 17 were found dead.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Friday after meeting with state, federal and local officials overseeing the cleanup. The proclamation makes additional state personnel, funding and equipment available. Watch Schwarzenegger talk about his visit to the spill »

"This has done tremendous damage to the environment, to wildlife and to the birds," the governor said. "We have to clean up as quickly as possible."

City officials have said they weren't given accurate information about the size of the spill until 9 p.m. Wednesday, more than 12 hours after the accident.

I guess its bye-bye Carbon Offset.

Its really too bad because thats one of the nicest places in California.

 

[WildCowboy]

Lots of finger-pointing going on regarding the lack of disclosure and slow reaction time. The beaches are a mess here.

The last big triathlon of the season here in the Bay Area is this weekend on Treasure Island. It's now a duathlon...glad I wasn't signed up, but I have lots of friends who are awfully disappointed.

Still no real information on how it happened. There was heavy fog, but that's not unusual, and these ships all have radar and GPS. The bay pilot has over 25 years experience, although he's had some mishaps in the past. None as big as this one though.

 

[me_94501]

I took the ferry from Alameda to SF yesterday for a job interview. The globs of oil on the bay were downright disgusting.

 

[Pani]

Wow! I am really sorry to hear that! SF is one of my favorite cities! I went college in the Bay Area and when I remember the fog rolling in, it still gets to me. Just something mystical about the place. It is ashame this had to happen!

 

[gonyr]

Anyone ever read "Ill Wind" by Kevin Anderson and Douglas Beason? It's a pretty decent scifi novel that starts off with this exact scenario.