Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound is responding to the grounded fishing vessel “Ruby Lily,” which ran aground at Patos Island with one person on board at approximately 1:30 a.m., Tuesday.
The operator of the 50-foot commercial vessel is uninjured and has decided to remain on board.
A Coast Guard Station Bellingham response boat crew reports the vessel is intact with no pollution sighted. “Ruby Lily” has approximately 4,800 gallons of diesel fuel onboard.
The Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo remains on scene and Vessel Assist has been hired using the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF). The OSLTF, managed by the Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC), has been opened to cover the costs of refloating, salvaging and any required clean up.
The Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center was created to implement Title I of the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), which addressed issues associated with preventing, responding to and paying for oil pollution. Title I of OPA established oil spill liability and compensation requirements, including the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to pay for expeditious oil removal and uncompensated damages.
For questions related to the Ruby Lily response, contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.
