A minor petroleum spill occurred off the coast of Benicia, initially causing concern when a mysterious sheen was spotted in the waters by Valero staff. Benicia Fire Department, promptly responding shortly after noon yesterday, found the sheen measured about 100 yards near Bayshore Road near the Amports pier. As per the department's latest update, less than a gallon of petroleum fuel had been accidentally released from the vessel The Polar Endeavor, resulting in the contamination.
Investigative efforts were able to quickly begin to identify the source of the spill, with state and federal resources, including the Solano County Office of Emergency Services, California's Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Coast Guard out of Vallejo, being notified. The shimmering patch was later determined to be diesel fuel. "The ship near the sheen has assumed responsibility," reported the California Office of Emergency Services.
While initial alarms were sounded due to the potential environmental hazards, the actual impact of the spill has been deemed minimal. According to the Benicia Fire Department's Facebook page, the offending vessel quickly took appropriate actions to mitigate the spill's effects, thus containing its spread and limiting environmental damage.
The National Response Center was informed of the situation, with the caller from the responsible vessel stating they "have been told to stand down" after disclosing the small quantity of the spill. The clean-up efforts were initiated by personnel on the scene, indicating a swift response to the accidental release. Despite the potential for major environmental implication, this quick response helped to prevent what could have easily become a larger disaster.
