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Recovery of a Sunken Vessel in the Port of Arlington, Oregon
Discover how our emergency response teams managed a successful recovery of spilled diesel after a vessel sank in Arlington, Oregon.Byline: BTB Editor
November 25, 2024 / Time to read: 5 minFrom marine spills to open water and inland issues, our experienced team is focused on the emergency response and port and terminal industrial services needs of maritime shipping, port authorities, tug and barge operators, ports and marinas and entities within the DOD and DOT.
In these unique working environments, it’s critical to be aware of safety hazards and required security measures. This past September, our dedicated project teams took their specialized emergency response skills to Arlington, OR to recover a sunken vessel — and the hundreds of gallons of diesel it spilled.
The Challenge: Spreading Diesel
The Mermaid, a refurbished 1937 wooden fishing trawler converted into a pleasure cruiser, sank to a depth of 30+ feet within the slip it was moored in at the Port of Arlington Marina. The marina is immediately adjacent to the mainstem Columbia River.
The cause of the sinking is unknown. The 61’ vessel contained a reported 900 gallons of diesel with a capacity of 1000 gallons, and a significant amount of fuel leaked into the water — posing risks to environmental and public health.
The Solution: Swift Spill Management
Our Pasco, WA Emergency Response Team rapidly mobilized to respond to the emergency, with our Portland, OR Marine Emergency Response Team stepping in to assist. Within an hour of arriving at the scene, the crews had containment boom deployed and the source secured.
An Incident Command System (ICS) response was activated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Our Emergency Response Manager activated the Pacific Area Spill Management Team (SMT) and we staffed multiple command and general staff positions including:
- Operations Section Chief
- Planning Section Chief
- Logistics Section Chief
- Safety Officer
- Multiple branch directors in operations
- Unit leaders in the planning and finance sections
The Outcome: Successful Recovery
Our response personnel used sorbents and skimmers to recover 550 gallons of liquid product out of the estimated 900 gallons that was released — a more than 60% recovery rate. Typically, a response is considered successful if only 20% of the spilled product is recovered. A recovery rate of over 60% is a testament to the quick actions of the well-trained responders to secure the source and locate, contain and remove the spilled diesel fuel before it could further impact the environment.
The highly complex and dynamic response included:
- A dive team
- Multiple response vessels
- Tugboats
- Multiple cranes (both barge and land based)
- Vacuum trucks
- Frac tanks
- 35 Republic Services personnel and subcontractors from all four offices within the PNW Region
Safe and Compliant Emergency Response
Our project teams have decades of experience performing environmental port and terminal services, terminal industrial maintenance, remediation and
On top of our expertly trained and experienced team, we have an
Combined with our DOT-compliant transportation assets and nationwide network of treatment and disposal facilities, we offer safe and compliant turnkey solutions for all your emergency response needs. Call us 24/7 at 800.899.4672 to request a response team or visit us at
