What
to Do In the Case of a Spill at the Fuel Dock
That
rainbow sheen on the water is the telltale sign of an oil or fuel
spill. Before you grab that bottle of soap (which
is illegal and can bring a fine), follow
these steps to legally and responsibly respond to a small spill.
If you have spilled or discharged a petroleum product:
When reporting a spill, be prepared to give the following information:
- Location of the incident.
- Cause or source of spill.
- The type of fuel spilled.
- The amount of fuel spilled.
- Level of danger or threat.
- Weather conditions at location.
 When you call the National Response Center, they will assess the situation
based on the information provided. For large spills, the Coast Guard
will respond with personnel, proper equipment and clean-up supplies.
In some jurisdictions, a state agency or fire department may also be
called to assist.
A
word about clean-up: Your marina should have an emergency spill kit
on hand and should be trained to respond to minor fuel spills. In the
event of a large spill, do not attempt to clean it up by yourself. Each
spill should be handled differently, so it is best to get advice from
your marina and the U.S. Coast Guard.
|
Identify and
stop the source of the leak. 
