Working Conditions Aboard the Dublin-Express

On the morning of April 3, the US Coast Guard granted the green light for the 'Dublin Express' to depart from New York Container Terminal, Staten Island, after successful completion of necessary repairs and cleaning processes. This decision came after extensive oversight by the Unified Command, which includes both state and federal agencies, alongside the responsible party. Their continuous clean-up initiatives ensured that all affected areas along the Arthur Kill Waterway were thoroughly restored. Operations at Jacob Riis Park were concluded by April 2, with no further reported issues in that region. Meanwhile, Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams discovered a minor presence of tar balls at Atlantic Beach, and investigations are underway to verify their origin. The Coast Guard remains vigilant, monitoring the site in collaboration with local stakeholders. Data collected during the Coast Guard's investigation and supplementary information from vessel representatives suggests that the 'Dublin Express' released approximately 100,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil during its journey along the East Coast to New York. However, the Unified Command has successfully recovered around 35,000 gallons of oily water from the Arthur Kill Waterway. In addition, a fourth oiled bird was rescued and has been sent to Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research for rehabilitation, highlighting ongoing efforts to address environmental impacts in the aftermath of this incident.

The Unified Command overseeing the Goethals Oil Spill has confirmed that tar balls discovered at Jacob Riis Park are directly linked to the fuel oil discharge from the 'Dublin Express' in the Arthur Kill Waterway on March 28. Following extensive analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Laboratory, the tar balls were determined to match the fuel oil released by the vessel. In response, the Unified Command mobilized teams and equipment to initiate cleanup operations in affected regions, including Elizabethport Reach in New Jersey and Jacob Riis Park in New York. On Monday, cleanup crews were deployed to Rockaway Beach, targeting tar balls identified by shoreline cleanup and assessment technique (SCAT) teams a day prior. With 87 personnel and 16 vessels actively participating, the operations aim to mitigate the environmental impact of the spill. Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projections did not indicate further contamination, the Unified Command remains vigilant, collaborating with local stakeholders to monitor the situation. Since the incident, cleanup efforts in the Arthur Kill Waterway have been ongoing, with assessments of shorelines in both New York and New Jersey continuing from the previous week. Encouragingly, no new spill-affected areas have been reported. Wildlife assessments are also a priority, with three oiled birds—one domestic duck and two ring-billed gulls—being rescued in New Jersey by Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. Authorities remind the public not to engage with distressed wildlife, as this could exacerbate their condition. An investigation into the cause of the spill is currently being conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard. The 'Dublin Express' was able to leave New York on April 4 at 1:50 p.m., after patching its hull, and successfully arrived at the Baltimore Marine Container Terminal on April 5 at 1:40 p.m. For more updates and information, you can visit the [U.S. Coast Guard’s official report](https://coastguardnews.com/unified-command-identifies-oil-clean-up-operations-continue/2019/04/03/).

On March 29, the U.S. Coast Guard, in collaboration with various partner agencies, sprang into action following reports of an oil sheen and tar balls spotted along the oceanfront of Coney Island and Long Island, stretching from Norton Point to Atlantic Beach. Authorities are currently evaluating the impact on both the shoreline and nearby waterways while simultaneously investigating the source and cause of this environmental issue. This investigation may be linked to a recent fuel-oil leak associated with the vessel 'Dublin Express', which encountered damage in the Arthur Kill waterway. This ship, equipped with a tank capacity of approximately 300,000 gallons of fuel oil, has raised concerns over potential contamination. As of now, the exact cause of the damage and the volume of fuel oil that has potentially leaked remain undetermined, and investigations are ongoing.