SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — The U.S. Coast Guard was called to the Piscataqua River Tuesday afternoon to help clean up an oil spill that occurred shortly after noon.
The spill involved the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship Ferdinand R. Hassler, which accidentally discharged oily water overboard at its mooring in New Castle, New Hampshire, the Coast Guard said in a news release.
The ship’s crew immediately notified the Coast Guard and the National Response Center, according to the news release.
The Coast Guard, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and Enpro
formed a unified command to oversee the response. Personnel, utility boats, vacuum trucks and skimmers were sent to the spill scene.
At least one vessel anchored nearby appeared to be affected by the oil and its owners were contacted by the local harbormaster. Efforts to decontaminate the vessel are ongoing.
The Coast Guard said there were no reports of pollution on shore or harm to wildlife.