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March 2 Update

Fuel spill 'under control' after tugboat overturned in Norfolk
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Video:Scene of the tugboat fuel spill. 
(Brian Clark | The Virginian-Pilot)
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A tugboat tips near Filmore Street in Norfolk on Wednesday, March 1, 2010. 
Officials said about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the Elizabeth 
River. (Ross Taylor | The Virginian-Pilot)

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By Cindy Clayton
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 1, 2010 
NORFOLK

Workers this morning contained an estimated 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel that 
spilled into the Elizabeth River from a tugboat that listed, fire and Coast 
Guard officials said.

Firefighters who specialize in hazardous materials situations were sent to the 
incident about 9:40 a.m., said Battalion Chief Harry Worley, Norfolk Fire-
Rescue spokesman. The tug was in Lyons Shipyard, east of Harbor Park, near the 
Campostella Bridge.

“At this point, it is under control,” Worley said this morning. The tug 
apparently had not been used “in a while” and was being stored at the site.

The Coast Guard estimated the fuel spill to be about 1,000 gallons, Petty 
Officer 2nd Class Nathan Henise said.

Accurate Marine Environmental, a contractor, was recovering the fuel and the 
owner of the tug was attempting to re-float it, the Coast Guard said this 
afternoon.

“The Coast Guard will actively monitor this situation over the next few days to 
make sure the oil is not only contained, but recovered,” said Capt. John 
Little, deputy commander of Sector Hampton Roads, in a news release.