Watch CBS News

Tug Boat Source of Leak in Petaluma

PETALUMA, Calif. (KCBS) _ Clean-up crews continue to work at the Petaluma River, where a vessel leaked hundreds of gallons of oil and fuel into the waterway Monday morning.

The spill was first reported at 8 a.m. The fire department traced the origin of the spill to an old tug boat, which was being dismantled for salvage.

"It's a 90-ton tug boat," said Department of Fish and Game Warden Josh Nicholas. "It was in the process of being salvaged and recycled, which takes a period of days."

Click to listen

Podcast

Nicholas said an estimated 200 to 600 gallons of gear lubricating oil leaked into the river, creating a sheen that stretched more than two miles.

Absorbent booms were laid out on both ends of the sheen and initial reports are that no wildlife has so far been affected.

Investigations are continuing into exactly what caused the oil to spill into the river.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.