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Criminal Probe in Bay Oil Spill

Communication, management problems on Hong Kong ship

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2007 6:09 AM CST
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(Newser) – A criminal probe into the oil spill off San Francisco was launched yesterday as federal investigators began to question the crew of the Hong Kong ship that hemorrhaged 58,000 gallons of fuel oil after crashing into the Bay Bridge last week. The Coast Guard contacted the US attorney's office after uncovering management and communication problems on board, according to an official who did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, the head of the Coast Guard, which was criticized for its slow response to the disaster, cited dense fog and damage to fuel-measuring instruments for the lag. Sen. Dianne Feinstein countered that factors such as weather "should not excuse this." The spill fouled miles of coastline, killed birds and closed dozens of beaches.

Rear Adm. Craig Bone, the U.S. Coast Guard's top official in California, discusses an oil spill caused by the Cosco Busan, seen in the background, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. The vessel struck the Bay Bridge on Wednesday spilling about 58,000 gallons of oil into...
Rear Adm. Craig Bone, the U.S. Coast Guard's top official in California, discusses an oil spill caused by the Cosco Busan, seen in the background, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. The vessel...   (Associated Press)
Rear Adm. Craig Bone, the U.S. Coast Guard's top official in California, discusses an oil spill caused by the Cosco Busan, seen in the background, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. The vessel struck the Bay Bridge on Wednesday spilling about 58,000 gallons of oil into...
Rear Adm. Craig Bone, the U.S. Coast Guard's top official in California, discusses an oil spill caused by the Cosco Busan, seen in the background, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. The vessel...   (Associated Press)
A kayaker stops to photograph a gash, approximately 90-feet long, in the hull of the container ship Cosco Busan in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007. The vessel struck the Bay Bridge on Wednesday spilling about 58,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay. Hundreds of people...
A kayaker stops to photograph a gash, approximately 90-feet long, in the hull of the container ship Cosco Busan in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007. The vessel struck the Bay Bridge on Wednesday...   (Associated Press)
Workers with NRC Environmental Services clean the oil-covered Rodeo Beach near Muir Beach, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2007. Some 58,000 gallons of oil were spilled into the bay after a container ship hit a tower of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco Wednesday. The U.S. Coast Guard's top...
Workers with NRC Environmental Services clean the oil-covered Rodeo Beach near Muir Beach, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2007. Some 58,000 gallons of oil were spilled into the bay after a container ship hit...   (Associated Press)
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Feinstein blasts response to oil spill
San Francisco Chronicle

Oil spill response defended
Los Angeles Times

US

 
San Francisco • Hong Kong • Dianne Feinstein • oil spill • Coast Guard • Bay Area • Cosco Busan

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