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Emergency response crews continue to work on cleaning a fuel spill that leaked into the Port of Los Angeles on Sunday, March 13.

The spill was caused by the Bahamas-registered Istra Ace [pictured], a 577-foot cargo ship used for transporting automobiles.

The incident was first reported on Sunday at 7:25 a.m. local time, when the vessel began expelling what is said to be heavy fuel oil (HFO) into the Cerritos Channel as it came into port.

According to a statement given by the U.S. Coast Guard, the malfunction stemmed from defective piping on the starboard side of the ship.

Authorities are continuing to keep an eye on the situation as they survey the surrounding waters. The Los Angeles Police Department flew a helicopter over the site on Monday to determine the extent of the oil damage, while the shipping company that owns Istra Ace hired a private aircraft to fly over the port as well.

The Coast Guard stated that because of the remedial steps that have been taken thus far, the clean-up crews have "successfully contained the oil within the affected area, preventing further contamination of the harbour."

The exact amount of fuel that spilled into Los Angeles waters has not been disclosed, though reports from the Coast Guard state that it was significant enough to leave a discernible sheen upon the surface of the sea.

Multiple agencies have deployed forces to aid in the effort to contain the spill and recover the fuel. The Coast Guard, The California Fish & Wildlife Care Network, The National Response Corporation Environmental Service, and the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments are all working in conjunction to remove any resulting pollution from surrounding vessels, docks, pilings, and substructures.

Eighteen response crafts have been deployed since Sunday. Contaminated waters are being cleaned with sweepers and sorbent pads, and an additional 1,600 feet of boom barrier has been added to the original 15,600 feet that was originally put in place.

In an effort to eliminate any interference with the clean-up efforts, the Coast Guard has restricted both commercial and recreational transit in the Wilmington Marina Parkway.

Vessels will not be permitted to pass beneath the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge, although automobile traffic above will not be affected. Transit requests to pass through the impacted area must be approved by the Unified Command, which is comprised of the California and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, the party responsible for the oil spill, and various Coast Guard personnel. Each request will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

The Istra Ace (IMO: 9318503) is owned and operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and managed by Greece-based Stamco Shipmanagement.

Image: Istra Ace