CLEAN UP OF NEW CARISSA AND OREGON BEACHES

The attempted torching of the 5 fuel tanks at the bottom of the New Carissa failed to burn 135,000 gals of the original 400,000 gals. 70,000 gals of oil has spilled in the ocean and on Oregon beaches, more than expected. Cleanup of the oil-coated shoreline continues.

Environmental teams have found 42 dead birds, including 9 Western Snowy Plovers which are on the endangered species list. Only 100 breeding pairs are found in Oregon, 100 in Washington, and about 400 in California. The nesting season is due to start on the affected beaches in mid March.

With only half of the oil burned up in the holes of the broken up ship, debate by Coast Guard, shipping and environmental officials continues as to whether to try to pump the remaining oil to tanks on shore from the larger front section, (which is difficult because the oil is thick and hard to pump) or to tow the hulks to sea and bury them in International waters. Sinking the 400 foot forward section might help contain the 135,000 gals oil left in the tanks as ocean temperatures below 5,000 ft are cold, and high pressures will help keep the oil immobile. A slow leak down there could be disastrous! Stay tuned and check back for the latest update