US Navy, Partners Remove Fuel from Grounded Japanese Vessel

FUEL REMOVAL FROM DAIKI MARU 7
FUEL REMOVAL FROM DAIKI MARU 7

The U.S. Navy, in partnership with other federal and local agencies, removed diesel fuel to the greatest degree practical from the grounded Japanese commercial fishing vessel Daiki Maru 7 in outer Apra Harbor, on February 20.

 

A team of environmental and salvage specialists pumped approximately 700 gallons of diesel fuel yesterday and 1,500 gallons two days ago from the vessel and into onshore containers, which were staged in an environmentally safe containment zone for later proper disposal. Personnel also removed two marine batteries and two propane tanks from the boat Feb. 19.

Japanese long-liner, the DAIKI MARU 7, ran aground at the entrance to Apra Harbor in Guam on February 13, 2014. The vessel had around 5100 gallons of diesel aboard,including small amounts of lube oil and hydraulic fuel.
FUEL REMOVAL FROM DAIKI MARU 7

“None of us can predict something like this will happen on a Navy base but when it does it’s nice to know we can reach out to federal and local agencies and be up and running so quickly to manage such a complex situation,” said Capt. Mike Ward, U.S. Naval Base Guam commanding officer.

All recoverable hazardous materials have been removed from the vessel. This allows the team to transition to the salvage phase of the operation. Contract salvage teams are assessing the vessel and formulating plans for breaking down and removing the vessel from its current location.
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Press Release, February 21, 2014; Image: Naval Base Guam