SAN FRANCISCO BAY (KRON) – An oil spill is forcing the temporary suspension of the Alameda-Oakland Ferry.
In a phone interview, ferry manager Ernst Sanchez tells KRON 4’s Pam Moore the suspension happened just before 5 p.m. Friday, right after the Oakland Estuary was closed.
“We had vessels in transit from San Francisco to Oakland and Alameda and they had to turn back to the SF Ferry Building,” said Sanchez. “We also have a vessel in the estuary that’s just waiting at the docks. As soon as we have clearance, we’ll resume operations.”
This ferry operates between the SF Ferry Building, Oakland’s Jack London Square and Alameda Main Street.
Sanchez notes that the Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry service has not been suspended.
Coast Guard officials say a fuel line ruptured during a fuel transfer on the Panamanian-flagged Dubai Star early Friday morning.
At an afternoon news conference, Mayor Gavin Newsom said booms were quickly deployed to contain the mile long oil slick and additional booms are protecting Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island.
There are no reports of the oil reaching the shoreline or impacting wildlife.
Stay with KRON 4 and KRON4.com for the latest on this developing story.
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