Resource Center
San Francisco Bay Oil Spill Response
Learn how NRC, a recent Republic Services acquisition, mitigated a 53,000-gallon San Francisco Bay oil spill.Byline: BTB Author
October 27, 2016 / Time to read: 5 minThe Challenge
On November 7, 2007, the cargo carrier M/V Cosco Busan struck a portion of the fendering system for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge’s Delta Tower. This collision ruptured one or more of the vessel’s fuel tanks, causing a portion of the vessel’s bunker oil to be discharged into the San Francisco Bay.
The estimated discharge amounted to approximately 53,000 gallons of Intermediate Fuel Oil 380, a heavy fuel oil used primarily to propel ships. The oil spread with the tides throughout the central San Francisco Bay and surrounding area as far north as Point Reyes and as far south as Half Moon Bay, oiling shorelines and wildlife.
The Solution
NRC, a recent Republic Services acquisition, was the primary OSRO for the vessel's Plan Holder. They immediately activated and responded to the site within one hour of the incident with 1,400+ personnel plus 40,000 feet of boom, 7 skimmers, 41 boats, skiffs, deck boats, absorbents, pressure washers and vacuum transfer units.
NRC completely mitigated the spill and handled the operation from the initial response to shoreline beach clean-up and decontamination and disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
The Outcome
The response to this event was very successful. The goal was to clean up the spill as quickly as possible, address any concerns from regulatory agencies and local stakeholders and allow the vessel traffic to resume routine operations as quickly as possible. The operation was completed safely and no injuries occurred.
