Responding  to Oil Spill in the San Francisco Bay

On November 7, 2007, a large container ship collided with the Bay Bridge, rupturing its fuel tank and creating the largest oil spill into the Bay in over a decade.  Despite corporate reports of 140 gallons, apparently around 60,000 gallons of fuel spilled before containment efforts were initiated by the Coast Guard. 

San Francisco Baykeeper is a member of the California Department of Fish and Game's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) Task Force, which is charged with responding to oil spills for the State.   Baykeeper is investigating why the Coast Guard failed to take immediate action to contain the spill or report the spill to OSPR as required.

Tarballs, a sticky petroleum emulsion, have already started to appear on local beaches and more than 100 oiled animals have been reported so far.  Initial reports suggest that the spill slick has reached Angel and Alcatraz Islands and all the way outside the Golden Gate at Point Bonita.  Most area beaches have been closed.

Baykeeper will continue working with local agencies to investigate the cause of the spill and to organize a response.  You can help San Francisco Baykeeper and other involved groups by reporting birds and animals that have been covered in oil.  If you find an injured bird, call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926 and alert Baykeeper at 1-800-KEEP-BAY.  

DO NOT APPROACH AN INJURED ANIMAL OR ATTEMPT TO CLEAN IT. 

AVOID CONTACT WITH FUEL SLICKS AND TARBALLS. 

If you want to get involved in cleaning up oiled beaches, be trained in rescuing wildlife, call 1-800-KEEP BAY (ext 109) or  email sara@baykeeper.org.