Heads up: Possible threat to West Wall schoolies - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Bob Senior · 02-28-2002, 06:13 AM

Some of you may have heard that a fishing boat sunk a couple of days ago in the Harbor of Refuge at Point Judith. That's right, it sunk IN the Harbor of Refuge. Basically, it's inside or to the left (north) of the West Wall.

The problem is that it is seeping diesel fuel into the water. Already, dead quahogs are showing up in increasing numbers, according to a local fish wholesaler I talked with yesterday.

My fear is that the oil will affect the schoolies when they arrive in a few weeks. As has been noted on this site, the West Wall is a favorite early honey hole for the initiated.

Fish_Eye · 02-28-2002, 07:09 AM

Bob,

There is a lot more than schoolies at stake. I've done a lot of diving on those walls and they are home to everything that feeds big bass as well as small; countless lobsters, shrimp, pollack, crabs, eels...and a whole lot more. I would hope with the relative small size of the vessel and the shallow water, they could contain or remove the remaining diesel fuel.

Mike

Bob Senior · 02-28-2002, 07:32 AM

Fish Eye:

You're right. But there is currently no activity there related to removing the fuel.

Scotch Bonnet · 02-28-2002, 07:40 AM

I think ther plan was to let it evaporate. I read in the paper that it was contained and 90% of the fuel had evaporated by the next day.

JohnR · 02-28-2002, 08:16 AM

I has also read that they thought the damage was minimal and would quickly clear - however, I'm not as confident...

From today's Projo: http://www.projo.com/report/html/sou...y/07124681.htm

Bob Senior · 02-28-2002, 10:19 AM

A story in the Narragansett Times yesterday explains that DEM has closed the harbor to both commercial and recreational use for a few days while they attempt to pump out the fuel in the boat. They expect to reopen it in a few days.

The Forager had about 3000 gallons aboard, but most of it has evaporated, according to the article. Clean Harbors of Braintree, Mass., is in charge of doing the pumping and cleanup. The boat will be raised later this week.

Smokey · 02-28-2002, 08:54 PM

John,
Thanks for posting the report I wouldn't have seen it otherwise. As fishermen sould we all state a claim for our losses?

179 · 03-01-2002, 08:26 AM

I was in Galilee a few days ago and you can see the boat about 200-300yards off the beach. The mast is standing straight up out of the water. It's an erie scene.........

JohnR · 03-01-2002, 08:31 AM

Here is a link to the Narragansett Times saying basically the same thing: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...id=73829&rfi=6

Smokey - if we were able to state a claim to our losses, it would be frying much bigger fish than that

...

I wonder how slick the WW (not likely) and Short Wall (very likely?) will be this year

Fishpart · 03-01-2002, 09:21 AM

I have put some patches on and salvaged a couple of boats leaking Diesel Fuel and it evaporates pretty quickly. Not to say it probably doesn't do soem damage in the process. When you have to put a boom out to dive through crude oil, that is where you have a problem with slippery rocks...

Smokey · 03-01-2002, 07:33 PM

It's been three days since the insident. Have there been any more reports? I believe this is a sencitive time with herring moving in to fresh water and scoolies making their way up the coast. No food meens no fish.

Scotch Bonnet · 03-01-2002, 07:46 PM

With all the fishing vessels in that pond theres constantly a sheen of Diesel on the water and the fish dont seem to mind. I wouldnt worry about this one.