-
May 14, 2008 10:25 am US/Pacific
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
SF Bay Spill Size Downgraded To 5 Gallons
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ―
The Coast Guard has downgraded the estimated size of a gasoline spill in Suisun Bay from about 1,500 gallons to about five to 10 gallons.
Coast Guard officials say their initial estimate was based on a worst-case projection after a tugboat struck a refinery wharf overnight where several petroleum pipelines are located. Numerous pipes were damaged, and first-responders decided to assume the largest pipe had spilled gasoline.
In fact, Coast Guard spokesman Dan Dewell says a much smaller pipe was ruptured and leaked only a few gallons of gasoline.
Dewell says three crew members of the tug were tested for alcohol as required by their employer, but Coast Guard investigators were not satisfied with the equipment used in that test, and asked for another.
Two crew members agreed, Dewell says, but the tug's master declined. The results of the tests were not immediately available.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)