The following provides updated information about the oil spill that occurred at Dalco Passage near Commencement Bay at about 1 a.m. Oct. 14, 2004.

A news conference will be held inside the main conference room at the Tacoma Fire Department Training Center at 2 p.m. today. The center is located at 2124 Marshall Avenue, Tacoma, Wash.

Update information:

Location: Dalco and Colvos passages

Status of oil slick: Oil sheen has been observed as far north as Alki Point via Colvos Passage and south to Point Fosdick. The southern beaches of Vashon and Maury islands and Quartermaster Harbor received the heaviest concentrations of oil.

Type of oil: Oil product unknown

Amount of oil: Estimated 1,000 gallons

Responsible Party: Unknown

Cause or source of the spill: Unknown vessel spill

Resources at risk: There are several eelgrass beds, shallow sub tidal areas, baitfish spawning beaches, and salt marsh habitats in the area. This is a major feeding area for birds, however at this time bird concentrations are lower than usual.

Oiled wildlife: One oiled Western Grebe was recovered from Des Moines marina late Thursday. It was examined, cleaned and appears stable.

Weather/seas: Weather is expected to be in the 50s with winds from the south at 5-10 knots shifting from the north with showers forecasted throughout the day. Tides for Saturday are: Low 12:48 a.m. -1.3 feet and 1:07 p.m. 5.5 feet.  High 7:39 a.m. 12 feet and 6:25 p.m. 11.9 feet.

Air quality: Air monitoring has shown no detectable levels of toxic vapors.

Organizations involved: U.S. Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, National Oceanic Atmospheric Association, U. S. Navy, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Spill Response Equipment Status

The following is a listing of the people, equipment and resources that are being used in responding to the Dalco Passage spill (as of 10/15/04):

Personnel: 161 people in the field, 125 in command post

Injuries: All cleanup and emergency response personnel are safe and accounted for; no injuries have been sustained.

Response vessels deployed: 35

Skimming vessels deployed: 8

Boom deployed: 18,800 feet

Helicopters: 2

The Joint Information Center and Unified Command are located at Tacoma Fire Department Training Center, 2124 Marshall Avenue, Tacoma, Wash.

Information numbers:

Injured wildlife reporting line: 1-800-22BIRDS (222-4737)

Damage Claims: 1-800-280-7118

News Media Only: (253) 591-5960