05/23/2006: "Small Gasoline Spill At Port Of Friday Harbor"

A small spill of ten gallons of unleaded gasoline sent a number of agencies to the FH Port to respond to gas being discharged from a broken fuel line at the Fuel Pier.

The spill was noted just before noon Sunday, May 21st. The fuel was mostly contained under the fuel pier by floats, although some fuel drifted toward the Spring Street Passenger Pier and the Washington State Ferry slip. Because of the uncertainty of the extent of the potential hazard, the facility was evacuated and emergency dispatch was phoned.

The Town of Friday Harbor Fire Department responded with engine number six and the fireboat Confidence along with members of the Island Oil Spill Association, the Town's Public Works crew and employees from Island Petroleum Services and the Port of Friday Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified but didn't respond to the event.

.Nearby boats were evacuated from the area and Washington State Ferries took extra precautions during their approach to the ferry slip. The fuel was removed with the use of absorbent pads and by evaporation. No immediate damage was noticed from the spill although the potential for damage was great without an immediate response. An investigation identified the cause of the spill as a failure caused by chafe in a drop hose that carries fuel from the pier to the floats. The fuel pier re-opened at approximately 2:30 p.m.