deep sea fishing vessel oil clean up
The clean up area is very close to shell fish farms and may endanger months of shellfish production. So far crews have recovered almost 5,000 gallons of oil. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Ecology)

Sunken fishing ship recovery to run over $1 million

BY Jillian Raftery  on May 27, 2012 @ 7:23 am (Updated: 10:55 pm - 5/27/12 )

The Washington State Department of Ecology has put together a team of divers and oil clean-up specialists that are working to recover the 128 foot fishing ship that sank on May 13th in Penn Cove near Whidbey Island. The effort is expected to cost almost $1 million.

Starting on May 23rd, diving teams surveyed the wreck of the ship. The "Deep Sea," which caught fire two weeks ago, sank on May 13th in 60 feet of water and started to leak oil into shellfish fields.

"We know that at one point early in the spill there was oil sheen right in among the mussel rafts, so there was definitely an effect there. We haven't gotten any reports of any oiled fish or birds or mammals and that's good news, but we're watching this all the time," says Curt Hart, of the Department of Ecology.

During the clean-up, divers exploring the wreck released more oil in the process of trying to raise the vessel. However, they have been able to recover almost 5,000 gallons of oil from fuel tanks and from the water's surface since recovery efforts started.

Contractors for the Department of Ecology put up an oil boom to contain oil that was already on the water. Later on, workers also put a floating boom up in two lines to protect shellfish nearby.

"Right now we're seeing a light coating of oil on the water and that's why we're really working so hard to get this thing out of the environment because we don't want to see more fuel leaking," says Hart.

Workers consider the recovery effort a success so far since no oiled fish, birds, or mammals have been found. According to a Department of Ecology press release, the oil on the water had dissipated almost completely by May 17th.

The next step in the clean-up is to recover the boat. The state has contracted with Global Diving and Salvage and General Construction Company to coordinate these efforts.

However, the Department of Ecology is not ready to give an estimate as to when they will have the Deep Sea out of the water. In the meantime, the cost of the recovery is climbing.

"[The costs are] Between $700 and $750 thousand and we haven't even started raising this vessel, so the costs are going to rise. The ultimate price tag is unknown, but it's going to be above $750 thousand," explains Hart.

The state will continue the temporary closure of shellfish farming in the area, which was declared on May 15th, until Department of Ecology experts can determine that the water is safe.

97.3 KIRO FM's Frank Shiers and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jillian Raftery, Social Media Captain
Jillian Raftery is a social media captain for the Dori Monson Show. She loves the neighborly vibe of the Pacific Northwest and spends as much time as possible outdoors.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • ssbn629g wrote...
    Financial Responsibility
    May 27, 2012 9:03 am
    Now that we know WHAT is taking place to recover this vessel.....how about addressing who pays for this mess.... I have read about what looks to be an "in over his head" owner who seems to have evaporated.... Bend over taxpayers.....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2112 wrote...
    As much as I disdain aggressive regulation
    May 27, 2012 10:04 am
    We need to come down real extremely hard on the owner's of derelict boats. This owner needs to have a Lien or what ever they do before he hides assets or hides behind Bankruptcy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Contractors **** "FOR" **** the Department of Ecology . . . .
    May 27, 2012 10:13 am
    back side lubed up, how much will WE_ pay?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • roomtemp wrote...
    Hmm...
    May 27, 2012 12:23 pm
    Can't they just pump out the fuel and hydraulics, skim the surface, blow some holes in it, and call it a reef?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ssbn629g wrote...
    2112
    May 27, 2012 2:33 pm
    Right on...... This guy bought the boat for a business purpose....things didn't work out..... Man up and take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Southern Republicans and BP Have a way of dealing with this stuff when it happens, : )
    May 27, 2012 9:28 pm
    Just pump a million gallons of dispercent into the water, shoot a junk shot into the hull to seal it up and call it good!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Come on, fartface - a political ship wreck ???
    May 28, 2012 4:44 am
    By the way, it was YOUR GUY that screwed up the BP spill. .. Translation - Obama, not Bush.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    Why am I paying for this?
    May 28, 2012 8:29 am
    where is the boat owner?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2112 wrote...
    BP and this wreck
    May 28, 2012 9:05 am
    These are not the same thing but for those who brought it up, we should have come down on BP (exxon or whoever) like a wrecking ball. This one is local. Derelict boats in WA state are a serious problem and taxpayers often pay for the clean up.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }