Briefly in the news

Paul Clinton

A small sheen of diesel oil spilled into Newport Harbor Friday

afternoon, Coast Guard officials reported.

The spill, which was reported at about 9:40 a.m., spread out over an

approximately 100-by-300-yard area near the Lido Village Marina.

Less than one barrel -- or 42 gallons -- was spilled, Coast Guard

spokesman Robert Eckenrode said.

In the wake of the spill, the Coast Guard contracted with Ocean Blue

to clean up the mess. The cost of the spill was unknown at press time.

To clean up the spill, workers used absorbent brooms to soak up the

oil. The spill was contained by 2 p.m. Friday.

The Coast Guard also launched an investigation into the cause of the

spill, which has been narrowed to three undisclosed sources.

Anyone found liable of causing a spill can face a $27,500-per-day fine

or up to three times the amount of the cleanup costs.