The FV Bergen ran aground
The US Coast Guard (USCG) was notified that a 57-foot, 80-year-old fishing vessel with potentially 1,500 gallons of diesel on board was aground on the rocks in Bellingham Bay. Two hours later, the USCG rescued three men from the boat.
Summary information
Bellingham Bay
Status updates
March 15, 2016
Crews were able to safely approach the FV Bergen today. Improved weather allowed a team to mobilize a barge and remove what was left of the vessel. All debris associated with the boat has all been removed from the area, including Little Squalicum Beach.
March 14, 2016
Over the weekend Ecology, the US Coast Guard and contractors waited for a weather window to safely salvage the vessel - but it never happened. Although the rain stopped at times, steady, 20 to 30-knot wind gusts persisted.
The weather, combined with the tide and lack of daylight hours resulted in the decision to stand down and secure the wreckage until the next big storm passes.
No pollution threat remains and crews will look at salvaging the vessel later this week.
March 11, 2016
Weather conditions improved overnight and crews began making progress this morning.
A minimal oil sheen is visible in the water near the vessel and response crews are containing and cleaning up the oil released from the vessel.
Crews also placed containment boom in the water around the FV Bergen to help contain oil.
An oil sweeper is working to recover oil on the water and crews are cleaning up oily debris near Little Squalicum Beach - which is currently closed.
Salvage crews are on site to prepare the vessel to be removed from the water. A crane will assist in removing the vessel.
Efforts will continue throughout the day. The forecast calls for favorable weather conditions today but are projected to worsen tonight and tomorrow.
Today contractors worked to remove the vessel piece by piece because it is no longer intact. Crews employed a crane and are using a 'clamshell' machine' to remove FV Bergen from the water.
Full containment around the boat is in place and beach cleanup is complete.
More investigation will continue to determine the approximate amount of diesel released to the water.
So far contractors managed to recover some of the more persistent oil (30 gallons of hydraulic and 20 gallons of lube oil).
March 10, 2016
Around 5:30 a.m. the US Coast Guard (USCG) was notified that a 57-foot, 80-year-old fishing vessel with potentially 1,500 gallons of diesel on board was aground on the rocks in Bellingham Bay, north of the Squalicum Marina, near the mouth of Squalicum Creek. Two hours later, the USCG rescued three men from the boat.
Ecology responders are on scene with Global Diving and Salvage and other contractors assessing weather and safety. The vessel does not appear to be leaking at this time.
Midday the first sheen was identified as a result of the FV Bergen breaking apart in Bellingham Bay.
Ecology, the US Coast Guard and contractors are on scene to provide pollution control and boat salvage, but strong winds and high waves are making it difficult to respond.
Teams are recovering hazardous materials and vessel debris from Little Squalicum Beach as it reaches the shoreline.
Communities members and their pets are asked to avoid the area.
As soon as the weather calms down, crews will be able to assess if they can safely recover the vessel.