Most of USS Sampson diesel spill into Seattle harbor has been removed

Cleanup crews have removed about 90% of the approximately 2,500 gallons of fuel spilled Monday from the USS Sampson into Elliott Bay near the Seattle waterfront, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

“The fuel spilled into a pre-boomed area around the vessel,” the state agency said on its Facebook page. “Recovery is ongoing. We are on scene and coordinating with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard Northwest and response contractors.”

Sampson, an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer homeported at nearby Naval Station Everett, was being serviced at Vigor Shipyards when a hose used to remove excess fuel from the ship malfunctioned.

Navy officials at NS Everett said they are working with the state to ensure the most thorough cleanup possible.

“The Navy is working with shipyard contractors and spill response partners to resolve this quickly and responsibly,” the Navy said. “Active, 24-hour on-site recovery operations are underway, and most of the fuel has been recovered.”

Containment booms had been placed around the ship as a precaution before the spill. Crews are using skimmers to remove the fuel from the water.

“A small sheen of non-recoverable oil was spotted outside the boom Tuesday afternoon but was expected to evaporate quickly under the day’s warm weather conditions,” the Washington State Department of Ecology posted Tuesday evening. “The rest of the spill remains successfully contained. Hard boom containment and sorbents will remain in place until the remaining oil sheen has been recovered, and the ship is moved into dry dock.”

The Navy did not have an update available Thursday.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.

Sampson was commissioned into the Navy in 2007. The ship was involved in drug interdiction efforts in the Pacific Ocean earlier this year.