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Singapore-based OSM Ship Management has paid a $27,500 fine for an oil spill in Seattle's Eliott Bay last year, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

The bulk carrier Songa Hua spilled an estimated 93 gallons of intermediate fuel oil on February 28th 2007. The ship was anchored off Smith Cove, about a half-mile south of the Port of Seattle’s Pier 91.

An overflow occurred while the Songa Hua was loading fuel from a barge. Ecology investigators later determined that ship’s crew caused the spill by:

* Failing to follow established procedures to monitor the fueling operation.
* Making faulty repairs to a fuel tank valve, without proper oversight.
* Failing to give special attention to the valve, because it was being used for the first time since its repair.

The Department of Ecology also said the crew failed to immediately report the spill as required by state law.

“The best oil-spill defense is prevention,” said Dale Jensen, who manages Ecology’s spill prevention, preparedness and response programme. “Washington State requires detailed planning before – and attentive care during – each marine fuel transfer. Crews have to meet those requirements every time they transfer fuel over water.”

The spill caused areas of oil sheen within approximately 90 acres of northern Elliott Bay. The sheen coated bulkhead rocks at Elliott Bay Marina and pilings under Pier 91. Cleanup took six days to complete.

OSM bore all cleanup contractor costs. The company last year also reimbursed the state $11,139 for response and investigation costs, and paid a $1,855 Natural Resources Damage Assessment. The Department of Ecology deposited the penalty and assessment payments into accounts that fund the department’s chartered Neah Bay emergency response tug.