Fifth District
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: July 28, 2008
Contact: 609-677-2204

Coast Guard responds to sunken, derelict tugboats,
leaking oil in Schuylkill River, Pa. (Video available) 

The Carol Whales tugboat sits on the bottom of the Schuylkill River, Pa., Monday, July 28, 2008. The tugboat is one of two boats that sank in the river and is leaking oil near the Girard Point Bridge. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

PHILADELPHIA - The Coast Guard is responding today to two derelict tugboats that sank and are leaking oil in the Schuylkill River here.

Personnel from Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay along with other local and state agencies are responding as a result of the two sunken tugboats, the Carol Wales and another unidentified tugboat.

The two tugboats were tied to the pier at the edge of the Schuylkill River in the vicinity of the Girard Point Bridge when they sank.

Contractors are on scene and have contained the site of the spill.

The Coast Guard has established a safety zone in the area and urges mariners to use caution when transiting the river.

There has been no reported impact to wildlife. 

The cause of the sinking is under investigation.

Video footage of the oil spill from a Coast Guard overflight assessment can be viewed by clicking here.