Submitted by the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management

Update on the sinking of the F/V CHIEF JOSEPH off of Henry Island:

On Saturday, May 4, crews from Global Diving and Salvage pumped all accessible fuel off of the vessel. The initial estimate is that more than 1,000 gallons of diesel were removed. While residual pollution is still possible, the majority of the pollution risk has been mitigated.

Crews will be on the water on Sunday to assess for any shoreline or wildlife impacts, but none have been reported to date.

A tentative plan to remove the vessel from the water once weather improves on Tuesday or Wednesday is being developed at this time.

Thanks to Global, Republic Services, Tow Boat and the Pintail out of Friday Harbor, the US Coast Guard, WA Dept. of Ecology, and the Islands’ Oil Spill Association for the support to date.