Environmental damage from derelict vessel minimized


December 28, 2011 · Updated 5:37 AM 

SUQUAMISH — A stock of marine spill response equipment at the Port of Kingston Marina gave local firefighters the chance to quickly limit the damage from the sinking of a motor vessel in the waters of Miller Bay Thursday.

North Kitsap Fire & Rescue crews were called to Miller Bay Marina at 12:17 p.m when it was reported that a 24-foot motor vessel, above 10 feet from shore, had foundered and was leaking gasoline. After quickly assessing the situation, crews towed the response trailer to the location and, with the help of the district’s fire-rescue boat, deployed boom to contain the fuel. Although they were unable to reach the boat’s registered owner, firefighters contacted the U.S. Coast Guard and the state Department of Ecology.

While officials don’t believe that any fuel traveled far enough to cause an impact, they also as contacted the Suquamish Tribe, which operates a hatchery nearby.

A crew from Ecology also responded to the scene.

North Kitsap Fire & Rescue spkeswoman Michele Laboda said the equipment cache has been used on multiple occasions since it was placed at the Port of Kingston by Ecology in March 2007, saving countless dollars in response costs and efficiently protecting our precious marine environment.

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