Click the text above “Fishing Vessel American Challenger breaks free…”to see this entire post.
Saturdy 6 March the 31 meter long FV American Challenger ran aground on the Marin coast between Estero Americano and Estero San Antonio.
So far the ship remains intact. An unknown amount of petroleum product has leaked out, though it is not known how much diesel was in the 7000 gallon capacity tanks.
The latest information may be found here
Below are images I made showing the wreck site, as well as efforts to protect the commercial oyster/clam/mussel beds in Tomales Bay, just 6 miles SSE of the wreck site.
Those of us who spend considerable time and energy cleaning up after the many shipwrecks that happen along our coast sincerely hope that the authorities will track down those responsible for this avoidable situation and ensure they pay the bill to clean up this mess. Simply pumping the fuel and lubricants off the ship and walking away, leaving the HUGE debris pile to come is NOT adequate.
All images and video are ©Richard James and may NOT be used or linked to without written permission by the photographer (info@ocastodian.org).
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What the!!!!. What harm is the American challenger doing!! ?? It was cleaned of fuel prior to transit, had had no negative impact of any visual or measurable accounts.. Why are these naive tree huggers “ so determined to be be SO outraged “ by what is of very little.. if any at all harm to the planet.,, if anything it adds substantial structural access for birds and aquatic refuge! The main question is why the USCG “ stood by”simply allowed this to happen? I’ve heard their “excuses “ siting to dangerous seas and weather conditions??!!
Hogwash!!! We have the entire day of Video and still shots illustrating relatively calm seas and unlimited visibility!