Handysize bulker spills diesel after hitting pier in US portHandysize bulker spills diesel after hitting pier in US port

The 2012-built, 33,562-dwt Panama-flagged Global Gold hit Pier 1 last Friday, leading to the diesel fuel leak, as the vessel sustained a four-foot by eight-inch gash in the port side of the hull about 30 feet from the stern.

The USCG said the spill has been contained within an oil boom surrounding the vessel and the pier.

“Once the leak was secured, the vessel's engineer sounded the ship's tank and Coast Guard Incident Management investigators determined a maximum discharge of 1,100 gallons had occurred.,” USCG said.

It added that the quick response and notification of proper authorities by the crew of the Global Gold prevented this spill from becoming a much more serious situation.

The handysize bulker was scheduled to load lumber in Astoria port for the next few days, and it will now be withheld at its current location until repairs can be made.

The USCG said it is investigation the cause of the collision and the ensuing spill.