NewsLocal News

Actions

UPDATE: Oil sheen reported off Summerland Beach

Coast Guard
Posted
and last updated

Update (10:27 a.m.): U.S Coast Guard pollution responders are coordinating with partners in response to Friday's oil sheen reported off Summerland Beach.

The estimated 1-and-a-half to 2-mile-long sheen is five nautical miles off Santa Barbara. The sheen's cause is still unknown at this time.

At 2:34 p.m. on Friday, watchstanders from U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara were notified by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services of a possible oil sheen in the water.

The partner agencies informed the National Response Center of the incident and planned further actions.

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter flight crew conducted an overflight of an oil sheen off Summerland Beach on Saturday.

There are still no reports of wildlife being harmed at this time.
________________

State and county officials are investigating a report of an oil sheen in the water off Summerland Beach.

According to the California Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), the report came in at 1:22 p.m. Friday from the group Heal the Bay.

CDFW-OSPR Public Information Officer Eric Laughlin says a crew consisting of a wildlife officer, scientist, and technical adviser is leading the local investigation.

So far, there have been no observed impacts to wildlife, but Laughlin said the Oiled Wildlife Care Network is on standby.

The source of the sheen is unknown at this time.

Investigators will return to the beach on Saturday.