Updated at 2:36 p.m., Thursday, November 15, 2007
Oil spill cleanup continues at Kahului Harbor
Advertiser Staff
KAHULUI, Maui — Maui Electric Co. hopes to wrap up cleanup efforts tomorrow at Kahului Harbor's Pier 1, following an oil leak that was discovered Nov. 6 in an abandoned pipeline.Approximately 300 gallons of heavy industrial No. 6 fuel oil was released by the leak at the base of Pier 1. Maui Electric personnel, assisted by the Clean Islands Council and PENCO staff, contained the leak to Pier 1 and preventing the oil from spreading to other areas of the harbor, according to a news release from the utility company. Absorbent pads were used to soak up free-floating oil and within 24 hours, the Coast Guard deemed Pier 1 safe for marine traffic.
Using a tug boat, excess oil was flushed out and corralled into a small section of boom where absorbent pads were used to recover the material. A 24-member crew worked through the weekend removing and cleaning equipment, including 2,000 feet of boom, the tug boat and a dingy, the release said.
Crews began scrubbing columns under the pier on Monday and continued working throughout the week.
The Coast Guard and state Department of Health were expected to inspect the area tomorrow. Maui Electric said the pipeline is being checked to determine why there was oil in the abandoned line.
