SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies have responded to a diesel spill in the vicinity of the Ballard locks.
The captain of the port instituted a safety zone in the area and took measures to not disrupt maritime traffic any more than was necessary.
A short time later, the Coast Guard and the Washington State Department of Ecology deployed a containment boom.
Officials determined the spill was under 100 gallons as a 65-foot recreational boat’s tank had been overfilled during a fuel transfer, causing diesel to spill from a vent.
An ecology crew found an oiled bird near the scene of the spill and it was taken to a wildlife rescue.
No other animals were affected.
Ecology officials said after 7:30 p.m. that much of the sheen from the spill had been captured and absorbents would be in place overnight.