On February 2, 2006, EPA was contacted by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology)
regarding the report of two abandoned dry docks, one of which has sunk, that may contain an unknown amount of hazardous materials (waste oils, solvents, fuel, and other chemicals) on its deck. The reporting party also feared that the remaining dry dock may sink, with hazardous materials on board, due to the age of the dry dock, the fact that one already has sunk, and the intensity of the continuing storms that have hit the Seattle area in the past few weeks. Immediate assistance to assess and investigate the dry dock and determine if any hazardous materials were on board.
OSC Terada with EPA's START (Superfund Technical Assistance Response Team) contractor were dispatched to this response. EPA worked very closely with two Ecology Spill Responders to board and investigate the dry dock in question. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the dry dock contained very small quantities of hazardous materials which were taken off the barge for proper disposal by the Ecology Spill Responders.
No further action is pending this response and assessment.
