Dredge Sugar Island; East River, New York

East River, New York | 1994-Sep-20

Initial Notification: On September 20, 1994 starting at approximately 0300, the dredge Sugar Island, discharged almost 8,000 gallons of #2 fuel oil into the East River between Governors Island and Roosevelt Island, New York. On the day of the release the weather was temperature 72?F, visibility about 8 miles, winds at 5 knots from the south, and calm seas. The release occured during an internal fuel transfer when the vessel overfilled a tank. Oil was discharged until about 0430 when the mistake was discovered. Oil spread along the East River. The responsible party notified the USCG and cleanup contractors. The vessel moored in Flushing Bay (near LaGuardia Airport) and was circled with sorbent boom. The USCG sent out a Pollution Investigation Team in vessels and on several overflights. Oil was observed throughout the East River from Governors Island to the White Stone Bridge, mostly as light sheen. Duration of the response was one day. USCG district 1. Keyword: evaporation, sorbent boom.