Our California Statewide Law Enforcement Association members in the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) have been monitoring the possibility of an oil spill near Big Sur. 

OSPR was called in Saturday, April 13,  after a tugboat towing a crane barge sank.  The Coast Guard rescued four people floating in a life raft.  The barge became stranded and drifted with thousands of gallons of diesel fuel on board. 

Crews have been watching the area in which the tug boat sank.  At this point, there is no sign of any sheen.

“Whenever something of this nature happens, our oil spill prevention professionals move in to protect the environment,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “They keep a watchful eye on our coastline and waterways to prevent any kind of environmental catastrophe and to protect wildlife.  We rely heavily on their expertise.”