Tanker Spills Crude Oil in Delaware River
The 865-foot Singaporean tanker Minerva spilled at least 1,000 gallons of crude oil Thursday into the Delaware River while discharging cargo at a refinery, a Coast Guard spokesman said.
“Preliminary reports indicate that human error may be responsible,” the spokesman said.
The Coast Guard initially reported the spill at 4,200 gallons. A slick extended 4 1/2 miles downriver.
Representatives of the Minerva, owned by Argo Dua Shipping PTE Ltd. of Singapore, and the refinery immediately notified authorities and put containment booms around the tanker, the Coast Guard said.
The ship hired a pollution contractor, which deployed a boat and trucks to vacuum up the crude.
Petty Officer Jery Scheddel said spills of less than 10,000 gallons are considered minor on the Delaware.
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