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.

Update information:

Location: Helicopter inspections continue throughout today.  As of yesterday afternoon, light oil sheen was observed as far north as Port Blakely and Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island.  To the south, oil was observed at the southern end of Vashon and Maury islands.  The southern beaches of Vashon and Maury islands received the heaviest concentrations of oil.

Status of cleanup: Professionally trained spill responders continue to do everything possible to reduce the effects from the spill to the environment and wildlife.  Recovery operations are ongoing in efforts to collect as much of the spilled substance as possible.  Safety to the public and response personnel is still a major concern to the incident command.  This is a coordinated effort between state, local and federal agencies.  An investigation to determine the responsible party is ongoing and progressing.

Is you boat oiled?  If you suspect that vessel has been oiled by the Dalco Pass Mystery Spill, please call 253-591-5960 to arrange for an inspection and, if needed, a professional cleaning. 

Type of oil: Oil product unknown

Amount of oil: Estimated 1,000 gallons

Responsible Party: Unknown

Cause or source of the spill: Unknown

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 Friday afternoon. It received initial examination and care at the wildlife treatment trailer at the command center and has been transferred to the Progressive Animal Welfare Society wildlife treatment center in Lynnwood for further care. One seal pup found live and lightly oiled at Pt. Defiance Park. Transferred to PAWS wildlife center in Lynwood were it died overnight then transferred to NOAA Fisheries for follow-up examination. 

Non spill related wildlife impact: 1 dead pup, found 1 mi. S. of Normandy Park on Sat. 

1 dead pup, found on western shore of Vashon Is. on Sat. Neither of these seal pups were oiled and both were transferred to NOAA Fisheries.

Weather/seas: Weather for Puget Sound 0900 a.m. PDT Sun OCT 17 2004; Temperatures are forecast in the low 50s and there is a small craft advisory for Puget Sound throughout the afternoon and night. Winds are NE at 10 knots becoming SW and increasing to 15 to 25 knots late in the afternoon. Wind and wind waves inside Puget Sound are 1 ft building to 2 to 3 ft in the afternoon with rain turning to showers.  Sunday night winds SW 15 to 25 knots with waves 2 to 4 ft and showers likely.  Tides for Colvos Passage 1246 1.0 knots ebb- 1600 1.4 knots flood - 2400 1.7kt ebb.
 

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 and Atmospheric Administration, U. S. Navy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other state and local agencies.

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 10/17/04):

Shoreline affected:

With light sheen:  15 miles

With heavier oil:  6 miles 

Vessels:

Workboats:  22

Skimmers:  2

Boom deployed:  11,400 feet

9,900 feet of protection boom placed at sensitive locations in the spill area.

1,200 feet to channel oil toward the skimmers

Helicopters:  1

Personnel: 162

Field staff:  112

Command center staff: 50

Recovered product:

Oily water:  4,928 gal.

Oily debris:  6.2 tons

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

Dalco Passage Oil Spill Public Workshop sponsored by: Washington State Department of Ecology, United States Coast Guard, and the King County Parks Department. The workshop will be held at McMurray Middle School and Chautauqua Elementary School in the 9300 block of SW Cemetery Road on Vashon Island on Monday, October 18th, 2004.  Join us any time from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., presentations are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.  The workshop will directly precede the previously scheduled Vashon & Maury Island Community Council meeting, which is at 7:30 p.m., at the same location.

Information numbers:

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

            Damage Claims: 1-800-280-7118

            News Media Only: (253) 591-5960