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
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Could smell it this afternoon
I could smell it this afternoon near the water in downtown Norfolk. I couldn't see the rainbow on the water surface though. Hope the animals are okay.
More spills
Let's drill offshore, and we can have more spills. YEE HAW!!!
The irony
The irony of this story is overwhelming. Who would believe a ship the EPA purchases having a problem with a fuel spill? The EPA has been gutted to the point it can barely regulate itself let alone anything else. This could be a good statement about the agency.
Accidents Do Happen!
This is a prime example that demonstrates that accidents can happen to anyone. But, shouldn't EPA and NOAA both be held accountable for this accident and treated exactly as if the accidental leakage of diesel fuel was from a commercial ship or other vessel? I guess my arguement would be that EPA should not be the typical government policy of "Do what I say not what I do?"
Get real....
Let me guess Laura you voted for bush twice and would again if he was running, right?
The irony
No one else saw the irony that the ship belongs to the EPA?
Oil Spill
You guy are absolutely right. I'm real sure NOAA just decided, since they and the EPA are in cahoots, they would just dump oil in the river and not have to worry about it. Get real.....you people ever hear of an actual accident?
northendlocal, please
Please refrain from stupid comments that have no basis in any kind of fact. I seriously doubt President Bush was involved in this oil spill. Get real.
hilarious
Yes, let's somehow mention the Bush administration in this one =). Because clearly, the Bush Administration had something to do with this local fuel spill, just as those nasty Bushes created those terrible hurricanes and deliberately sent them to hurt the poor, impoverished people in New Orleans and Texas. Here's the bottom line of this story... more government is bad. Government agencies suck. Get rid of them. kay thx.
The EPA? Isn't that convenient?
Isn't that convenient? This is what the bush administration would consider efficient government. "You're doing a heckuva job Brownie!"
Deisel Smell
You will not have to look far! The spill was not from Waterside it was from the old NOAA ship RUDE which now belongs to the EPA!!!! Will they FINE themselves? I think not!!
Please
find the parties responsible and civilly and criminally prosecute them!