The U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington Department of Ecology, alongside Tacoma Fire and Police Department personnel responded to a pollution incident at Tyee Marina in Tacoma after a fire damaged six boats, Sunday morning, Oct. 2.

Pollution responders from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound and Department of Ecology, as well as, National Response Corporation Environmental Services personnel placed a containment boom inside the marina and around the three boats that sank and two others that were damaged. One boat was damaged by a falling mast.

Tyee Marina is located on the north shore of Commencement Bay along Marine View Drive.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Command Center in Seattle were notified of the fire and potential pollution threat at about 8 a.m. The six boats damaged in the fire are all 25-feet long and smaller, four of which had gasoline powered outboard engines.

“The maximum potential fuel spilt is 100 gallons,” said Lt. j.g Madeline Ede, federal on scene coordinator representative. “We are working with our partner agencies to mitigate the pollution threat caused by the fire.”

Containment boom, absorbent boom and pads have been placed in the water to absorb as much fuel as possible.

“We’re pleased with the Tacoma Fire Department’s quick response,” said Shawn Zaniewski, Department of Ecology’s lead spill responder. “The department had grant-purchased spill response equipment available to immediately contain the spill and reduce environmental damage.”

Divers from the Tacoma Police Department also responded by supplying divers to confirm safety of life.

The Tacoma Fire Department said that an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

The owners of the vessels and their insurance companies will be responsible for salvaging the boats.

– U.S. Coast Guard