Two sinking fishing vessels were reported leaking fluids on the West End on Thursday.
The incidents were unrelated, with one in Neah Bay and the other at LaPush.
The cause was unknown in both cases.
“That will be investigated,” said Coast Guard Lt. John Hanely of Seattle.
“From here on, it’s basically the salvage operations. Preventative measures have been taken.”
A 48-foot fishing vessel, the Miss Clarissa, was leaking diesel and hydraulic fluids Thursday as it sat grounded and partially submerged between two piers at LaPush.
A 31-foot fishing boat, the Neptune, sank at a Neah Bay dock Wednesday night, leaking an estimated 6 gallons of diesel that caused a light sheen at the Makah Marina on Thursday morning, the Coast Guard said.
The LaPush spill was surrounded by a boom, but about 10 gallons of fluid had leaked outside the containment areas, Hanley said.
“It was taking on water last night,” Hanley said.
Coast Guard Station Quillayute River towed the boat away from the pier and intentionally grounded it to avoid blocking a channel.
Miss Clarissa was submerged up to its pilot house. It had about 200 gallons of hydraulic fluid and between 100 and 150 gallons of diesel on board, Hanley said.
“The Quileute tribe has taken responsibility and is coordinating the salvage of the vessel,” Hanley said Thursday.
“That is ongoing at this time.”
After a contractor completes the cleanup, the vessel will be refloated based on the tides.
Hanley estimated that the cleanup could be completed by the end of the day today.
The Coast Guard and the state Department of Ecology are assisting tribal officials in the cleanup and salvage of the vessels.
Neah Bay
The crew at Coast Guard Station Neah Bay contained the sheen from the Neptune with a boom after reporting it at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
Ballard Diving and Salvage and the state Department of Ecology are cleaning the spill, Hanley said.
A 25-foot small response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Neah Bay was launched to investigate the submerged Neptune after the owner reported it sunken at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard said.
There were no reports of pollution at that time.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
