Earlier today, First State Update reported the presence of cleanup crews in Delaware City. The Delaware City boat ramp and surrounding waters were lined with blue and yellow booms, causing speculation among local residents and boaters, who were advised to launch their boats further south to avoid contamination.
Mayor Paul H. Johnson, Sr., responded to comments in our post saying he was looking into the matter. He later posted on social media, revealing that at approximately 4:40 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, an oil release was detected on a barge at the Delaware City Refinery’s (DCR) pier on the Delaware River. The mayor said the refinery’s Oil Response Team, equipped with environmental remediation specialists were working to address the situation by halting the release and deploying equipment to contain and absorb the oil sheen around the refinery’s piers and adjacent areas.
During the assessment, a small amount of sheen was also identified on the south side of the Branch Canal at the Delaware City Marina. Consequently, the boat ramp on the refinery side of the Canal has been closed to vessels until further notice, with minimal impact reported on the shoreline of the Canal and the refinery itself. Meanwhile, marina activities on the north side of the Canal continue without restrictions.
He went on to say that the Oil Response Team, in collaboration with the Delaware Bay and River Cooperative, is actively working on the cleanup operation, which is expected to continue throughout the night. The response team reported that all employees, contractors, and third-party responders are safe, with no injuries reported. Relevant government officials and agencies have been notified, and a thorough investigation into the incident is underway, added the mayor.
First State Update confirmed that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) was present at the scene earlier in the day but was unable to provide detailed information at that time. It was also discovered that the Delaware City Fire Company was not requested to assist.
The Delbay, a 68-foot, 100-ton oil skimming spill recovery vessel was deployed to the area of the refinery docks, where it spent much of the day in zigzagging. pattern.
