A hose failure during defueling operations aboard the Navy destroyer USS Sampson released diesel into Elliott Bay at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island in Seattle, the Washington State Department of Ecology reported. The spill occurred about 3:45 p.m. as crews were removing fuel; an initial estimate of roughly 2,000 gallons was later revised to between 2,500 and 5,000 gallons.

Because the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer had been surrounded by a containment boom before the transfer began, the diesel discharged into the pre-boomed area around the vessel, limiting its spread while recovery crews responded.

The Department of Ecology coordinated cleanup with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and response contractors, with monitoring expected to continue for several days. The cause of the hose failure was not immediately determined.

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