Burned, sunken boats causing environmental concerns

According to divers working at the site of Friday’s fire at Shelter Bay Marina, diesel was pouring out of the boat tank underwater as the first of six sunken boats was hauled to the surface.

Laura Hayes, a spill responder with the State Department of Ecology said that diesel and other gases will continue to come up as the boats are floated to the surface and the pressure inside them changes.

A diver said the water was so murky; he had to feel his way around to put a strap under the boat so that a crane could lift it. One sunken boat was on top of another, he said, and handrails and railings were hazardous to work around.

Despite the billowing black smoke that people could see for miles during the fire on Friday, authorities say much of the fuel did not burn and is now escaping into the water.

So far it appears emergency cleanup crews have been able to keep the oil sheen confined to Shelter Bay Marina.

Hayes with Ecology said they’re on the lookout for any wildlife that could be affected. So far, “we haven’t seen anything, but it’s one of our top priorities.”