Source of Patriots Point Oil Spill Still Unknown

Oil from a spill last month stains the sea-grass at Patriots Point

Last month, a large oil slick consumed much of Charleston Harbor Marina on Patriots Point.  Charleston Waterkeeper was informed of the spill by several citizen reporters.  For the past month, we have been trying to get answers regarding the source and cause of this spill, however not much has been learned since the day of the incident.

Coast Guard investigators reported to the scene the day of the spill, yet did not discover any findings that revealed possible responsible parties.  Charleston Harbor Marina employees told Charleston Waterkeeper that many boat owners were upset at the lack of clean-up efforts.  Oil can still be seen in the stained sea-grass on the shoreline by the marina.

Last week at a United States Coast Guard lead Environmental Response Committee Meeting, I spoke with Chief Ender regarding the spill.  He said that their investigators’ findings were “inconclusive” in pinpointing the source of the spill.

Post and Courier recently published an article revealing the poor condition of all four warships forming the heart of the Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum.  The condition of these aging ships raise many questions regarding their structural integrity.  It is not clear whether or not any of the ships still have hydrocarbons (oils, etc.) on board.