Dominion tug sinking in Bremerton

Status updates

Saturday, October 4, 2025 -- 6:00 p.m.

The volume of oil recovered has been determined to be lower than previously estimated following the discovery of a malfunction in the recovery tank’s volume indicator. We now estimate that 7500 gallons of oily water have been recovered.

Divers are rigging the Dominion in preparation for the lift of the vessel, which will likely take place tomorrow, October 5. After lifting, the Dominion will be dewatered, assessed, and stabilized so that it can be towed to a shipyard for salvage.  

During the lifting of the vessel, marina tenants and local community will likely see additional sheening and may smell the released oil. Response assets will be on standby. We will have mitigation strategies in place to contain and recover additional released oil including additional boom and sorbents, and skimmers. A team of shoreline observers is on standby and ready to look for shoreline impacts. 

Access to the Marina will be restricted to the public while the vessel is being raised and stabilized. However, marina tenants will still be able to enter the marina to access their vessels.

If you have been adversely affected by the oil spill, you may be able to receive compensation. Submit any damage claims to the USCG’s National Pollution Fund Control’s (NPFC) Claims Division. For questions or help, contact the NPFC Claims Division by phone Monday - Friday from 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT at 800-280-7118 or via e-mail at hqs-smb-npfc-claimsinfo@uscg.mil.

Thursday, October 2, 2025 -- 10:30 a.m.

Today a crane will arrive from Seattle and be positioned on the other side of the dock from the Dominion. The Dominion will be rigged in preparation for the lift of the vessel, which will take place tomorrow, October 3, or Saturday, October 4. After lifting, the Dominion will then be dewatered and assessed. The plan is to repair and stabilize the vessel, so it can be towed to a shipyard in Anacortes.

Response crews continue to manage boom, change out absorbents and conduct skimming operations to collect the oil.  As of today, approximately 14,000 gallons of oily water mix has been recovered. Divers continue to work around the vessel removing debris and marine growth, assessing stability and preparing the vessel for the salvage operation. 

The SCAT team deployments are halted until Friday, October 3. The teams will remain on standby and will be able to respond to reports of oil.

Overflights are being conducted on a regular basis by drone around the marina. 

Access to the Marina will be restricted to the public on Friday. However, marina tenants will still be able to enter the marina to access their vessels.

Fishing remains closed in the marina.

Monday, September 29, 2025 -- 11:00 a.m.

A salvage plan for the Dominion tug has been approved by the Unified Command. The plan includes bringing a crane in and positioning it on the other side of the dock from the Dominion.The vessel will be rigged and lifted to the water line, where it will be dewatered and assessed. We will provide more details and updates as we get closer to the salvage operation.

Response crews continue to manage boom, change out absorbents, and conduct skimming operations to collect oil. As of today, approximately 10,000 gallons of oily water mix has been recovered, and 70 tons of waste have been recovered. Over 11,000 feet of boom has been deployed to contain oil and protect the marina.   
 
Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams recently completed surveys on Bainbridge Island and found no evidence of oil.

The USCG conducted an overflight via helicopter on Sunday of Sinclair and Dyes Inlets. Small pockets of emulsified oil and sheen continue to be found but is considered mostly non-recoverable.  

Friday, September 26, 2025 -- 10:00 a.m.

Response operations continue. Responders will continue skimming operations to recover diesel within the boomed area around the vessel.  
 
Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams have been deployed daily to assess nearby shorelines. What little sheen was observed was determined nonrecoverable.

To minimize stress and injury to oiled wildlife the public must not attempt to capture any oiled wildlife. Any sightings of potentially oiled animals should be reported by calling 1-800-222-4737 (1-800-22BIRDS).

Moving vessels within the Bremerton Marina remains challenging. The immediate area of the incident, including the north side of P dock and the South side of D dock, is the site of ongoing response operations. Currently, no vessel movement to or from these docks is possible.

If your vessel is located at the North side D dock or north and south side of E Dock, and you need to move your vessel, please provide at least 1 full day notice by calling Clean Harbors Environmental at (209) 889-1429. Clean Harbors will need time to prepare and move containment boom to get you out of the marina.

For all other docks, please provide at least 1 full day notice by calling Clean Harbors Environmental at (209) 889-1429. They will assist you with scheduling a time to get your vessel decontaminated before you leave.

Decontamination is a “wipe down” of your vessel to remove oil and minimize impacts to the waters you will be transiting. Clean Harbors Environmental has been directed by the Unified Command to provide this service. This service is free of charge.  

Monday, September 22, 2025 -- 5:30 p.m.

Response operations continued today with divers assessing the vessel. Crews continued skimming operations to recover diesel within the boomed area around the vessel.

The response is coordinating with nearby vessel owners to decontaminate vessels as they leave the marina to reduce the spread of diesel sheen outside of the immediate response area. 

The SCAT conducted shoreline surveys along Point Washington Narrows from Lions Park south the Manette Bridge that showed some weathered oil. However, that oil was unlikely from the Tug Dominion. What little sheen was observed, including emulsified oil in Anderson Cove, was determined nonrecoverable. 

We’ve had reports of two deceased birds, but have yet to confirm that it’s related to the spill.

As of today, approximately 7,500 gallons of oily water mix has been recovered.

Saturday, September 20, 2025 -- 3:00 p.m.

Overnight, the Dominion had an additional release of product. Containment boom is still in place, and additional response teams have been activated. Two drum skimmers have been deployed, and on-shore storage planning is underway.

Responders estimate that approximately 5,000 gallons of oil water mixture has been recovered, with 2,500 gallons estimated to be oil.

The Port of Bremerton is closing the marina to public fishing.

Oiled wildlife recovery efforts are underway. To minimize stress and injury to oiled wildlife, the public must not attempt to capture any oiled wildlife. They should report any sightings of potentially oiled animals by calling 1-800-222-4737 (1-800-22BIRDS).

Friday, September 19, 2025 -- 4:00 p.m.

A dive team has surveyed the vessel to determine how much product remains on board. To date, contractors have collected approximately 900 gallons of product. Response contractors will remain on site to reconfigure the boom with tidal shifts.

The SCAT conducted shoreline surveys along Point Washington Narrows from Lions Park south the Manette Bridge that showed some weathered oil. However, that oil was unlikely from the Tug Dominion. There will be at least one more shoreline survey for this incident.

We’ve had no reports of affected/oiled wildlife. If you see oiled wildlife, please report it by calling 1-800-22-BIRDS and leave a detailed message.

The cause of the sinking is under investigation. 

Thursday, September 18, 2025 -- 4:30 p.m.

Additional boom has been deployed around the vessel to soak up additional diesel and oil. Skimmers have been deployed to collect the oil around the spill site.  

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a safety zone in the area. It extends from Manette Bridge following 200 yards off the Bremerton Marina breakwater to the Bremerton Ferry Terminal. Non-commercial traffic is advised not to transit the area and to stay clear. The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed a vessel to maintain the safety zone.  

Ecology has mobilized two shoreline cleanup assessment teams (SCAT) to the area. 

Thursday, September 18, 2025 -- 11:30 a.m.

Response agencies are responding to a sunken 130-foot tug, the Dominion, at the Bremerton Marina. Responders have placed absorbent boom in the water around the tug to try to recover and soak up some of the diesel.

We ask that people please stay out of the immediate vicinity of the tug sinking as our responders work to clean up this spill.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 -- 3:00 p.m.

Ecology was notified of a sinking vessel in the Bremerton Marina. The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to the incident and Ecology responders are en route.