Elizabeth River Fuel Spill Triggers Investigation

By MATTHEW BOWERS

By Matthew Bowers

The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK

A decommissioned research ship spilled 1,400 to 1,700 gallons of diesel fuel into the Elizabeth River early Monday, sending the smell of fuel wafting through downtown and drawing cleanup crews from several agencies.

Officials were still investigating the cause of the spill from the ship Rude, pronounced “Rudy,” Petty Officer Andrew Kendrick, a Coast Guard spokesman, said Monday.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently purchased the ship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the spill happened at NOAA’s Marine Operations Center, Kendrick said.

The ship’s captain notified the Coast Guard about 6:45 a.m., Kendrick said. The ship’s crew surrounded the spill with a boom and began applying absorbent pads.

The Coast Guard sent two vessels from Portsmouth, a helicopter from Elizabeth City, and investigators. Crews also responded from Norfolk Fire-Rescue, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the EPA, Kendrick said. No injuries were reported, and there was no immediate danger to others, Kendrick said.

Pilot writer Cindy Clayton contributed to this report.

Matthew Bowers, (757) 222-3893, matthew.bowers@pilotonline.com

Originally published by BY MATTHEW BOWERS.

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