|
Multiple agencies responded to a fuel spill at the Enighed Pond cargo facility on St. John, which occurred about 2: 15 p.m. today.
According to the Fire Service, at about 2:15 p.m. a 10,000-gallon, five-compartment fuel tank was being off-loaded when the tank rubbed against the barge causing a 5-inch puncture in the front compartment.
The fuel tank contained premium gasoline that was shipped from the HOVENSA Oil Refinery for gas stations on St. John. The front compartment contained approximately 3,000 gallons of premium gasoline.
The Fire Services’ Zulu Company immediately responded to contain the spill along with the VI Police Department which cordoned off Route 102 − from the VI Water and Power Authority’s treatment plant to the tennis court at Cruz Bay – from vehicular traffic.
The fuel tank was moved to an unimproved lot at Enighed Pond where the Public Works Department worked with local trucking companies to quickly create a dirt barrier around the tank to contain the spill from spreading beyond the lot.
The Fire Service is estimating that about containing 1,000 gallons of fuel seeped from the tank’s front compartment onto the barge and on land. The remaining fuel was suctioned out from the compartment. While some of the fuel spilled into the water, the amount is unclear.
Other responding agencies included VITEMA, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the VI Port Authority.
As of 5 p.m. the spill was completely contained.
|
