Bulker Spills Oil after Alliding with Pier in Astoria

zoom The United States Coast Guard and other local agency personnel are responding to a diesel fuel spill from the 2012-built, Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Global Gold at Pier 1 in the Port of Astoria, Oregon. Sector Columbia River watchstanders received the initial report from a facility security officer at approximately 12:50 am, local time Friday. The 33,562 dwt vessel had reportedly hit the pier while pulling in, sustained damage and was leaking diesel oil from a 4-foot gash in the hull on the port side above the waterline. Incident Management Division investigators from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River are on scene with the 565-foot Global Gold and the pier has been surrounded by protective boom. Responders are on scene to monitor and address the situation, said Lt. Cmdr. John Titchen, chief of the Incident Management Division at Sector Columbia River. The source has been secured and we are working diligently with agencies, the shipping agent and Clean Rivers Cooperative to clean up the spill.