Crews are continuing to clean up 20 to 50 gallons of fuel that leaked into San Francisco Bay near Fisherman’s Wharf on Saturday from a World War II-era cargo ship, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The fuel spill was reported at 10:56 a.m. at San Francisco’s Pier 45, where the SS Jeremiah O’Brien is moored.
The SS Jeremiah O’Brien is one of two functional Liberty ships of thousands that were built during World War II and is a popular tourist attraction.
The fuel leaked out of the port side of the ship during an internal fuel transfer, according to the Coast Guard.
Lt. j.g. Jacob Aulner said today that exactly what caused the leak remains under investigation.
The Coast Guard and other oil spill response organizations deployed 6,000 feet of absorbent boom to contain the spill in the Hyde Street Harbor.
They are monitoring the water around the Jeremiah O’Brien from Pier 39 to Aquatic Park for any other signs of fuel leakage but so far it seems to be contained.
“Everything’s going really well,” Aulner said.
Coast Guard officials said they will continue monitoring the area until the spill is completely cleaned.
Scott Morris, Bay City News
