Shell Oil Complex; Carquinez Straits, Martinez, California

Carquinez Straits, Martinez, California | 1988-Apr-23

Initial Notification: On April 23, 1988, the Shell Oil Complex at Martinez, California released approximately 8,700 barrels of San Joaquin Valley crude oil into Peyton Slough and Shell Marsh. Some oil travelled through Peyton Slough into Suisun Bay and Carquinez Strait. Oil was first sighted in the water near the Shell dock in Carquinez Strait. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) was notified and the source of the leakage was secured. Shell Oil Company accepted responsibility for the spill and contracted Clean Bay, Inc. to initiate cleanup operations. Cleanup operations began on April 23 on the marshes, shorelines, and waters of the Martinez area, including Peyton Slough, Pancheco Creek, Shell Marsh, Suisun Bay, and Carquinez Strait. The cleanup involved personnel from the USCG, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Navy (USN), and the California Department of Fish and Game (CA DFG). Members of various city, county, and state governments were also involved. Cleanup was completed on August 8. USCG district 11. Keyword: Clean Bay Inc., vacuum truck, weir/pump skimmer, sorbent pompoms, vegetation cutting, high-pressure warm-water washing, sorbent boom, filter fences, siphon dams, U.S. Navy Superintendent of Salvage (NAVSUPSALV), International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC), California Department of Fish and Game (CA DFG), Marco skimmer..