A tugboat that capsized in the Jekyll Island region on Wednesday is suspected to be leaking 3,500 gallons of fuel into a local creek.
The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says the 56-foot tugboat, Miss Addison, sank in about 8 feet of water just west of Jekyll Creek’s main channel on Wednesday around 6 p.m.
There were no injuries reported but the vessel was estimated to be carrying 3,5000 gallons of fuel on board.
CRD staff surveyed the sinking site around 10 a.m on Thursday to determine the environmental impact of the capsize. Using an unmanned aerial vehicle and GPS equipment, they were able to identify an unusually oily sheen on the water. They now suspect the fuel is leaking into Jekyll Creek.
A recreational oyster harvesting area is southwest of the sinking site but is not expected to be impacted by the fuel spill, according to Cason Kinstle, a shellfish specialist with CRD.
“Because of where the ship sank, the tide is carrying any fuel away from the harvesting areas,” Kinstle said. “It’s also so far away from the harvesting site that we don’t anticipate it being a problem.”
The owner of the vessel is coordinating with marine heavy-lifting services to have the vessel removed.