Date:
Oct. 24, 2009

Contact:
Lt. j.g. Jim Litzinger
843-514-7201

CHARLESTON, S.C - The Coast Guard continues oil spill assessment and clean-up Saturday at Charleston-area beaches and surrounding areas throughout the weekend. 

No new oil has been seen in the water, and the volume remaining on area beaches is low.  Personnel from Coast Guard Sector Charleston, South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control and Department of Natural Resources continue to monitor and assess local beaches and waters for oil sheen and tar balls. Personnel from Moran Environmental Services and other contractors continue the clean-up effort in affected areas.

Clean-up efforts will continue throughout the weekend on both Kiawah Island and Sandy Point while crews on Folly Beach are expected to finish their operations this afternoon. Although clean-up’s have been effective on Sullivan’s Island, Morris Island and Fort Sumter, assessment teams will continue to monitor those shorelines throughout the weekend.

A Coast Guard helicopter conducted an over flight Saturday morning and found no new evidence of beach impact or oil in the water offshore.

The Coast Guard has not received reports to indicate an impact to wildlife or fisheries.

The source of the spilled oil remains under investigation. The Coast Guard has collected samples from various sources to compare to oil found in the water and on the shore.  The analysis and comparison of those samples is not likely to be complete until late next week.

The Coast Guard is asking anyone observing oil in the water or on shore related to this spill to call the local hotline at  (843) 740-7090.