Dear Safe Shippers,
We have been dreading something like this.
Fortunately, the orcas got lucky this time.
As did the rescued crew members who were aboard the now sunken fishing vessel, Aleutian Isle.
After sinking off the west side of San Juan Island on Saturday, August 13, the vessel now lies 200 feet below the surface of the Salish Sea. Having already leaked some of its diesel fuel, there is still fuel on board which has yet to be secured and recovered.
Thank you to all the first responders and volunteers who have been working to contain and minimize the damage!
All we can do right now is to stay informed — opportunities for Safe Shippers to take action will come later. In the meantime, if you see any impacted wildlife as a result of this spill, please do not attempt to capture it, call the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Hotline: 1-800-22-BIRDS
Here’s how to stay informed:
UPDATES:
Washington State Department of Ecology:
US Coast Guard:
https://twitter.com/USCGPacificNW#AleutianIsleResponse
READ:
Cascadia Daily News: “San Juan fuel spill response a ‘wake-up call’. Continued fallout from Saturday’s diesel spill”
https://www.cascadiadaily.com/news/2022/aug/16/san-juan-fuel-spill-response-a-wake-up-call/
FOX 13 Seattle: “Clean up efforts continue after diesel, oil spill near San Juan Island; scientists concerned about orcas”
CBC News: “Oil spill off San Juan Island ‘pretty well impossible to clean up,’ expert says”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/san-juan-island-oil-spill-clean-up-1.6551597
Journal of the San Juans: “Fishing vessels sinks, leaking diesel and threatening sensitive areas”
Times Colonist: “Cleanup continues on sunken fishing boat east of Victoria in Haro Strait”
KUOW: “‘Incredibly lucky:’ Endangered orcas dodge diesel spill off San Juan Island”
USCG Press Releases:
#1: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/3281128
#2: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/3283746
#3: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/32866c4
#4: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/3288f79
ATTEND OR WATCH:
The San Juan County Council will conduct a Special Meeting on Friday, August 19, 2022 in the Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor beginning at 11:00 AM. The purpose of the meeting is for Council to receive a pollution response update regarding the sunken fishing vessel (FV) Aleutian Isle.
For more information, please contact the Clerk of the County Council at (360) 370-7472.
Link to Live Stream Council Meeting:
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/d9460e6f-2099-4994-9dc7-a72371225b3f
San Juan Islanders for Safe Shipping 