Fairhaven Firefighters and Harbormaster Tackle Fuel Spill
A fuel spill Saturday morning on the Fairhaven side of New Bedford Harbor prompted a response from the Fairhaven Fire Department and the Fairhaven Harbormaster.
Fire Chief Todd Correia says the diesel was spotted near Union Wharf in Fairhaven.
According to a press release, the fishing vessel Jack M. reported an equipment malfunction that spilled an unknown quanity of diesel fuel into the harbor.
Officials say the spill extended as far north to the Seaport Inn and Marina, and impacted several businesses and agencies, including the Fairhaven Shipyard, Blue Harvest Seafoods, the boat ramp at Pease Park, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Seaport Inn.
The Fire Department and Harbormaster unit deployed nearly 2,800 feet of absorbent material, and several hundred absorbent pads to help contain and absorb the diesel fuel.
The vessel owner is cooperating with local officials and has hired Frank Corp Environmental of New Bedford to complete the cleanup.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Coast Guard are investigating the cause of the malfunction.